One thing is certain; the economy IS NOT getting better, and until Washington and the people wake-up and understand that corporations and their lobbyists have wrecked more havoc on the U.S. than the Taliban and Al Qaeda combined, our downward spiral will continue until all we have is massive debt to China - and they will eventually collect. Furthermore, picture our situation if we ever get into an international row with China; imagine all exports cut-off, no spare parts for vital infrastructure repairs and projects - and now that Wal-Mart and other greedy corporations purchase the bulk of their goods from China, how would they re-stock their stores?
When I wrote the original article that began the “Wal-Mart” series, I predicted that our economy would eventually fail and I also brought-up National Security as an issue; China has increased their military budget, they have intercontinental nuclear weapons, and now they are busy building a “Blue Water Fleet” to expand their influence on a global basis. Our military has suffered massive cyber-attacks that have been traced back to China (which they deny), and they refuse to exert their power and influence over North Korea - who only exist by and through the grace of the Chinese. Beijing has the ability to demand that North Korea quit their nuclear ambitions by simply stating they will no longer provide food and fuel - but they won’t, as a nuclear armed North Korea somehow fits in with their overall global strategy.
From an economic standpoint, China now holds most of the cards. We can allow corporate America to increase our dependence on China, or we can demand that Americans start buying American again - and I promise you, the road to recovery will be rough - but it’s ingrained within our hearts to embrace freedom - and our support of China will eventually work to undermine what’s left of our economy as well as our freedom. Every economist worth his or her salt agrees that we cannot exist as a service-based economy. That said, why hasn’t the Obama administration taken steps to reinvent our manufacturing sector? Granted, our old business model didn’t work, but enough years have passed that we now know why and how we failed - and with that knowledge comes the power to make changes that will guarantee that American businesses can survive and stay successful without outsourcing our future to other nations.
I’ll finish off this comment with a question; who is responsible for the sad state of our economy? Is it Bush and Cheney, Reagan, Clinton, or Obama? If you haven’t figured it out yet, the answer is “none of the above.” Bush and Cheney saddled us with two wars that desperately hurt our economy and refused to carry-out oversight of the financial community, but in the final analysis - it was Corporate America that stands responsible for the destruction of our economy, and in my opinion, they should be prosecuted and imprisoned for their actions rather than receiving taxpayer funds while we watch everything that we hold dear fade into obscurity and disarray - including our ability to adequately feed, clothe, and house our families.
NOTE: Another reason I related the story about ESU is because there is a distinct difference between Republicans and Neo-conservatives. It saddens me when comments are made that disparage the entire Republican Party when it is the Neo-cons who are setting their agenda - mostly behind the scenes. In all honesty, to take back America from our greedy corporations, we need the participation of everyone, and that includes Republicans. I have a great deal of faith in the American people, and while our opinions on abortion and other issues often set us apart - the issue of our economy and the need to reinvigorate our manufacturing sector is tantamount to saving our nation from financial destruction.
President Obama, as you ponder the “State of the Union” - please explain to us how we can survive as a service-based economy… You know the answer as well as I do, but unlike me, you’re in the position to influence the general population and bring about change. Be honest with the people and identify who is actually responsible for the state of our economy - and outline what needs to be done to rectify the situation. Corporations are not entities whom are able to make decisions without the support of their shareholders. Tell the people the truth, that Corporate America has shunned the people for profit and unless they change their ways, the United States is bound to fall into Third World status. If you tell us the truth, something that has been absent from the Presidency for far too long, it will not be necessary to legislate that American corporations bring back our manufacturing capability; that message will be delivered at shareholder meetings throughout the country - and when the average shareholder and citizen understands that corporate greed and malfeasance are the real culprits in our financial meltdown, “Change we can believe in” will happen.
President Obama, please take a stand for the American people. We know that you have received enormous campaign contributions from the banking and financial sectors who only ask that they “conduct business as usual” - which means raping the American people! You stated that we had to “make sacrifices” in order to get our economy back on its feet, which most of us are willing to do, but I’ll be damned if I will sacrifice one red nickel while Corporate America is allowed to rape and pillage the American people.
Mr. President, because of Fox News and monopolies such as Newscorp, the Republican sector of our population doesn’t have a clue as to “why” and “how” we reached this sad state of affairs. Yes, I’m speaking of Republicans, not Neo-conservatives who hope you fail regardless of the pain and suffering that are bound to follow. There has not been an orator in the White House since the days of J.F.K. that has the ability to make himself understood and whom the bulk of the population trusts, and with that ability comes a huge amount of responsibility. I’m calling on you to exercise that responsibility, to side with the American people rather than Corporate America and address the country and explain why it’s not only necessary, but also a matter of National Security for the United States to return to its roots where people could trust our employers to make the right decisions, not just for their bottom-line, but for the good of the nation as a whole.
If you side with the people and tell us the truth, the whole truth, there will be a groundswell of support and outrage at our modern “Carpetbaggers” - and they will be forced to change their ways or fade into bankruptcy and obscurity. If you fail us President Obama, we will know that your real loyalty lies with those who seek our destruction, not necessarily on purpose, but are blinded by greed in their everyday decision making. If our corporations are making these decisions knowing full well they are destroying our economy in the process, then I believe they are committing acts of financial treason that have damaged the United States far worse than the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and the Bush administration combined.
I’m 58 years old, and not since the days of JFK has the United States faced a situation where our security and ability to survive as a nation has been at such risk. We also know that the stimulus as it pertains to our infrastructure was necessary, however, those are only jobs that will last for a specific time period - and when the work is completed, their jobs will disappear far quicker than they appeared. We don’t need a short-term solution, but a solution that will allow Americans to rebuild their nation on a platform that will offer jobs a hundred years from now. And yes President Obama, I do understand the risk; the last President that attempted to stand-up for the American people was assassinated - which I fear may enter into your decision making as you ponder our situation and “how” to bring forth change that will benefit the entire country. There has also never been a time when so much counted on the ethics of one individual, our President, or where the actions of a President can either drive us over the edge and end Democracy as we know it, or face the problem head-on and relate to the people what needs to be done to save our nation from what appears to be the inevitable financial destruction of our entire economy.
President Obama, I don’t envy you or your position; you are faced with the possibility of endangering your own life if you stand against the “Corapacy” and save the nation, or in the alternative, will go down in history known as the one man that could have saved America, but instead opted to protect his own interests and will forever be known as a President that didn’t have the courage to tell his constituents the truth - which would instantly cause the American people to demand the change that could and would make Corporate America act in a responsible manner - whether they like it or not!
William Cormier
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