Friends

In my previous weblogs, I’ve stayed away from politics. What sparked this departure was seeing a group of pro-America protestors near Bellevue Square. It got me thinking about what it means to be pro-America.

My political views represent a hybrid of the Republican and Democrat party ideals. I have the fiscal views of the Republicans and social responsibility of the Democrats. The war with Iraq is a tough issue for me. I have a 3 month old daughter and as a dad I feel like I need to make sure the world is a great and safe place for her to grow up. The trouble is that there is so much to do to improve the quality of life for Americans and the rest of the world. How do you choose where we should spend our tax dollars and which battles should we fight?

I’ve listened to the case put forth by the Bush administration and I’m convinced that Saddam Hussein is an oppressive leader who is desperately trying to protect his position of power and the status quo in Iraq. I’m also convinced Iraq has weapons of “mass destruction” and is actively trying to hide them from weapons inspectors in a game of cat and mouse.

Saddam is a skilled politician and he’s using all of the tools at his disposal to fracture the NATO coalition aligned against him. I cannot really blame him for trying though I have issues with his methods. It seems to me the US/Iraq affair boils down to George W Bush wanting to remove Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq. I believe most of Bush’s motivation is rooted in the national interest yet some of it is personal. If I remember correctly, Saddam tried to kill his dad. Trying to assassinate my dad would really piss me off if I were George W. So I guess I can rationalize Bush’s position and understand why he’s so frustrated with the world’s insistence on using diplomacy over war.

So, back to the potential of war with Iraq. I’m very supportive of our troops domestically and overseas. They’re protecting the vital interests of our country and I respect them for risking their lives to ensure a better life for my family and all Americans. They are true heroes yet frankly grossly underpaid for the risk and responsibility given to them.

The real question is whether or not the expense of a war with Iraq is the best use of our tax dollars. I’m very concerned with Iraq’s ability to use weapons of mass destruction domestically. However, I do believe the use of weapons of mass destruction is a long term problem. Any group that has grievances with the United States is capable of using these weapons. As communication, technology, and education advance, more and more people will have the knowledge, means, and ability to build weapons of mass destruction. Terrorism is about individuals with a cause, not the population of an entire nation. One vigilant person with the right tools can inflict more damage today and anytime in history and this problem is only going to get worse. Sorry to be such a downer.

The opportunity cost for the war with Iraq is domestic programs like education, welfare, social security, government programs, and infrastructure improvements. It’s hard for me to justify a war with Iraq when our teachers are paid so little and there are some many people without healthcare, jobs, and homes. I wonder if improving the lives of Americans should take precedent over removing Saddam from power. It’s a tough choice for me. I see the benefits of both. Ignoring Saddam places us in an isolationist view of world politics which historically has led to diplomatic disaster. Yet, how can we neglect the quality of life for Americans domestically. I want Katherine to grow up in a safe environment that is conducive to her achieving her goals and dreams. Is this a world without Saddam or a world in which we’ve invested in the quality of education and the lives of every American. I wish I knew the right answer.