Own worst enemy
Dennis Willroth Emporia
Originally published 02:16 p.m., June 10, 2008
Updated 02:16 p.m., June 10, 2008
TERRORISM — are we our own worst enemy?
Many of the effects are the same as terrorism — the United States with its involvement in other countries’ business and lives has lost thousands of lives which in turn affects tens of thousands of people and families and the companies they work with in the United States.
From the billions of dollars spent, the inflation affects everyone with soaring gas and fuel prices.
Everyone probably likes the idea of getting $600 to $1,200 dollars back from income taxes, but where is the money coming from? The government has already spent the money and is borrowing from another country that sends us tainted wheat linked to animal deaths in the U.S.
It goes round and round and I think we are our own worst enemy! Is there a solution? It sounds like a shallow way of thinking, but if the U.S. thought more of the U.S. people rather than everyone else, we would be better off.
Government of the people, by the people, for the people of the United States.
kansasgirl (anonymous) says...
You got that right.
June 10, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
"shallow way of thinking, but if the U.S. thought more of the U.S. people rather than everyone else, we would be better off."
????
It's the government's job and sworn duty to think more of the US than the rest of the world.Not shallow at all.Hang about 10 of the worst corrupt politicians inside the beltway,and you might see things turn around for a year or so.
June 10, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
For many decades the United States was "Big Brother" to the impoverished nations of the world; and that was a good thing. But "the times, they are a changin'", and now those nations are taking advantage of us and draining our treasury dry while they use our money to arm terrorists to fight against us and subsidize products to put our citizens out of work. The time has come to take care of America and Americans and let the rest of the world suck it up and take care of themselves---or call France, Iran, North Korea, China, Japan, India, or Venezuela. Maybe they'll help 'em out. They seem to have plenty of money but they don't share it with anyone. Maybe they know something we don't?
June 10, 2008 at 8:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USNretired (anonymous) says...
Protectionism brought us 2 world wars, hasn't been one in over half a century. We live in a world economy where we can choose to buy or not buy commodities such as oil, based on our choices. We sell food to the rest of the world and they have to pay what we charge. The more bio-fuels we make, the more they pay and if it is because of oil being too expensive or not, some will hate us for raising the price. Everybody is affected by everybody else, like it or not. Millions may starve in the third world as a result of our wanting renewable fuels. The market dictates to us all, in one way or another.
June 11, 2008 at 12:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
Whoa there USN, they do not have to pay what we charge,they pay what the market will bear, two different things entirely. I agree with the writer, the US government needs to think much more of what is best for the US people. Each time we try to do good around the world it ends up biting us. We have some tough issues at home, it is high time our government puts the US taxpayer as their number one priority.
As far as biofuels go, it sounds rather coldhearted, but for years we have struggled with grain surpluses worth very little in this country, and been held hostage by Arab oil. We are not going to starve to death in this country. Our best option, from what I can see, is a combination of biofuels, nuclear, wind, and energy conservation and let the Arabs go to....well, you get the picture. Our food and fuel may end up costing us more, but perhaps our taxes will go down if we don't have to police the entire world. I about forgot the coldhearted part. Why do we have to produce cheap food for the poor of the world? How about for the next 50 years that be someone elses job, we have done our part.
June 11, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USNretired (anonymous) says...
Hopefully the market controls what we charge, but the fact is that we live in the world.
June 11, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) says...
There are lots of good ideas here...
I would like you to consider that because we are the most powerful nation in the world, it is our moral duty to help out our lesser "neighbors" in the world.
Any opinions on that suggestion?
Denise
June 11, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Denise_Dorcey (anonymous) says...
Bad word choice using "lesser". I should have used less- advantaged.
Sorry...
June 11, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USNretired (anonymous) says...
I have to agree with alfalfa and add that charity begins at home, but can be extended to the less fortunate. I would rather see volunteers go to help around the world rather than troops, but we don't have that kind of discretion all of the time. Myanmar being a case in point as Uganda and Libya once were. We need trading partners and Democracies make the best ones, our Government may not always do the best job, but we need visionary people in foreign service that will at least try. Foreign aid is much higher than I believe it should be, and countries don't always pay their own way so we pay it for them. I don't agree with that idea, but it has been happening no matter who is office and the UN is a big part of that problem and I am sure it will continue to be as long as socialist control its day to day workings.
June 11, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TacoBellB (anonymous) says...
I agree Denise.
Then again I would much rather send help to a country in need because they do not have enough food to meet everyone's needs and are willing to work for it than give more government help to the lazy people here in the US that refuse to work or even try to find a job because they are perfectly happy taking handouts and living off the system. They claim to need government help, but can afford the latest cell phone, etc. I'm not saying ALL people who need help are like this, but there are a lot.
June 11, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
I don't know that it is an either/or scenario, but I think that perhaps America is overestimating our wealth right now. We have genuine needs that need addressed. This coming winter if nothing changes the elderly on fixed incomes are going to have a terrible time heating their homes and eating, with higher prices for both food and fuel. We have many people working who are under insured or non insured, they are not lazy or bad, they simply can't afford insurance. Regardless of how you feel about the Iraq war, it comes with a hefty price tag that has to be paid. It also comes with some vets coming home disabled both physically and mentally who need some help, and from what I have seen they are not getting as much as they need. I say, lets help our own first. Then when we have that taken care of, lets go overseas and start helping people. I am not trying to be mean spirited, what I am saying is why send money to Africa if you have people in just as much need right in front of you? Right now the oil producing countries of the Persian Gulf ought to be awash in money. Many African nations are primarily Muslim. It was reported that the gulf nations give practically nothing to world food aid just a few weeks ago. There are other wealthy nations in this world not doing their part. We can't afford to be the big givers of the world like we always have been. If I were to target another nation for more aid from us, it would be Mexico. Perhaps if things were better there, our immigration problems would lessen. I also tend to have a soft spot in my heart for a nation that doesn't routinely burn our flag and blow up our troops. Wouldn't it be nice for once to give aid to people who don't hate us??
June 11, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )