States' Rights, Iraq and Tiger Woods
In case you’ve missed it, what with all the Tea Parties, some conservatives are dragging out their old warhorse – States’ Rights. Across the nation, state officials are preparing to nullify federal health care reform, exempt their states from federal gun laws, seize federal land, and prevent the federal government from using National Guard forces. This is really nothing new. It is a tug-of-war that has been going on since the first constitutional conventions and, looking back over the past 200 plus years, the Federalists generally seem to come out on top.
Yesterday marked the seventh anniversary of the start of the Iraq War. The human cost of this war is enormous. More than 4,000 Americans have died, another 30,000 Americans have been seriously wounded and, taking the most conservative estimate, more than 150,000 Iraqis have died. And it isn’t over yet. This war was branded – an advertising term picked up by the military – as Operation Iraqi Freedom. Catchy little title used to promote the neo-con’s regime change strategy of trying to build pro-American governments in the Middle East. Interestingly, in this month’s Iraqi election, the followers of the anti-American Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr emerged with the potential of playing a key role in the next Iraqi government. You’ve got to be careful when you give people the vote, they have a way of voting for what they believe, not what you think they should believe.
Would somebody please explain to me why I should care what Tiger Woods does with the rest of his life. He acts like the male version of Britney Spears – too much money and too little sense. Of course, that can be said about a lot of celebrities these days. Perhaps it is time to start taxing stupidity.
Yesterday marked the seventh anniversary of the start of the Iraq War. The human cost of this war is enormous. More than 4,000 Americans have died, another 30,000 Americans have been seriously wounded and, taking the most conservative estimate, more than 150,000 Iraqis have died. And it isn’t over yet. This war was branded – an advertising term picked up by the military – as Operation Iraqi Freedom. Catchy little title used to promote the neo-con’s regime change strategy of trying to build pro-American governments in the Middle East. Interestingly, in this month’s Iraqi election, the followers of the anti-American Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr emerged with the potential of playing a key role in the next Iraqi government. You’ve got to be careful when you give people the vote, they have a way of voting for what they believe, not what you think they should believe.
Would somebody please explain to me why I should care what Tiger Woods does with the rest of his life. He acts like the male version of Britney Spears – too much money and too little sense. Of course, that can be said about a lot of celebrities these days. Perhaps it is time to start taxing stupidity.
I honestly would not object to letting those "state's rights" states have their way. We could start with not giving them any more federal money since they all take a lot more than they give. Even better, let's be like Czechoslovakia and let them peacefully take their half of the country. I wouldn't miss them.
ReplyDeleteUnder George W., 8,000 Americans were killed by terrorists (4,000 WTC, 4,000 Iraq). And there are people who actually think he was a good president! Didn't the Japanese call the invasion of China in the 30's something like "Operation Asian Freedom"? I wouldn't worry about the election results. The US has a habit of overthrowing democratic governments in 3rd world countries if we don't like them.
I don't have a clue why Tiger Woods has been on the front page of newspapers. He is rich and cheats on his wife. And this has never happened before? Is everyone really that surprised?
One reason the Republicans are so hot to devolve authority to state (or better yet, local) governments is that Republicans, over the last 20 years, have made it their objective to control those legislative bodies.
ReplyDeleteInsurance companies, utilities, gun manufacturers, food marketers, drug companies and other businesses that are monitored or regulated by government bodies LOVE the idea of lobbying (for example) the Texas Insurance Commission, where the chairman and board members are former -- or future -- industry executives.
Why take on the 800-pound gorilla that is the Federal government, when you can deal with 50 16-pound gorillas who are completely compliant and eager to please?