The Egyptian people, suffering from extreme financial hardship, boldly and peacefully overthrew their dictator. But Iraqis also live with extreme hardship. Could they overthrow their foreign occupier, the U.S.?
Since the U.S. invaded Iraq nearly eight years ago, hundreds of thousands of men, women and children have been killed and many more have been maimed. Numerous children have also been orphaned. From this frightening horror show, millions of Iraqis have fled their nation, while millions more have been displaced within Iraq. The problems are so severe, they even transcend the problems Egyptians face.
But it gets worse. Iraqi unemployment is 40-50% (vs. 25% in the U.S. during the Great Depression). The Iraqi government, which the U.S. keeps in power operates from the heavily secured U.S. Green Zone, rather than among the people, who supposedly elected it. Top officials pay themselves huge salaries the amount of which they refuse to disclose to the people.
The recent race for Prime Minister was between Nuri al-Maliki and Dr. Ayad Allawi, both with the approval of the U.S., which helped write Iraq's Constitution. It is an incompetent government incapable of providing even basic services. Bombings, shootings and kidnappings happen regularly, electricity is provided at best four hours a day, clean water and sewage treatment are scarce as is medical care and schooling for their children.
Even with the severity of its problems, Egypt has it better than this and it has no foreign occupier. What was Iraq's response to Egypt's overthrow of its government? It came from the U.S. government. "Iraq Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki hailed Egypt's 'peaceful transition' from authoritarian rule after he spoke with Vice President Biden on Sunday" the White House said in a statement. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hdtqyalRkGC2IC9jrLkOKoNv-4LQ?docId=CNG.f6fcd5bb2a7f891c8156a12d7845d240.5f1
What will it take for the Iraqi people to rule themselves and be rid of a foreign occupier? Peaceful protests by the Iraqi people, which are dangerous for them to do and censored in the U.S when it has been done and for the American people to raise their voices in the name of freedom for them. If you are an American, please speak up for your Iraqi brethren who have no voice here and for now, no voice in their own nation.
Dick
4 comments:
Dick, you critcize, blame or find fault with the USA in very edition of the Vigil. This may be true or it may be unjustified, it is a matter of opinion. But, I sure would like to see an edition where you unequivocally
say that you love the USA, that you have prospered here and that you live the American Dream. We all do, actually. Then, offer positive suggestions on how to fix our problems. I certainly believe that we have to fix the USA's political scene before we offer suggestions to other countries on how to run their govenment. Kind of presumptuous on our part, don't you think?
We need to vote out our criminal politicians on both sides of the aisle, and the ineffective ones as well. We need to clean-up our own house, Dick. That is where the focus should be.
Dick, since I have a close relationship with you I know your intentions are honorable, and that you love the USA. Other vigil readers, however, may not know you as well. I know that you are a concerned citizen who wants peace in the world. I admire your efforts in the Vigils.
Ben
Dear Reader,
In reply to the posting, I do care deeply for the U.S. and the well-being of its citizens.
My family, Russian and Polish Jews came here two generations before me and like many immigrants, prospered and contributed to the success of the nation.
But when the U.S. makes incredibly bad decisions, it is up to me to speak up, not as an attack but in constructive non-violent ways such as in peace vigils and in blogs.
And on http://www.saneramblings.com I do the same regarding the economy and the declining value of the U.S. dollar.
I believe it is the responsibility of each citizen to participate in the governing process, and to hold the government accountable for in the end, the government is but a manifestation of us.
Dick
You are so correct about it being our responsibility to participate in the governing process. Our own Tea Party did that and almost devastated the democratic party. They shook up all of the heretofore complacent politicians in government and made them aware that we are sick of Obama's debt incurring policies, bailouts and entitlements that are bankrupting America. Obama's budget will be taken to task because it too raises our debt once again. This guy has no clue as many of his own party are distancing themselves from his budget. His response to criticism is to raise the debt-ceiling and print more greenbacks. OMG!
As you have said, Dick, the interest alone on our national debt will break our financial backs.
So, my point is that people are getting involved in our government and impacting the decisions coming out of D.C. The freshman politicians that rode the Tea Party wave into office are trying to keep their word and lower spending. Concerned democrats are jumping on that bandwagon as well. They have started and lets hope they are successful in this endeavor. This politcal rebellion is also happening throughout the middle east. We may see a domino effect as one dictatorship after the other falls in that area. People want what the USA has: FREEDOM!
We, hopefully, will see peace and prosperity in the future?
Ben
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