Fw: [vfp-all] Taking Care of Business-But Whose Business ?

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Friday, September 17, 2004 8:05 AM

[vfp-all] Taking Care of Business-But Whose Business ?

 

 

Taking Care of Business-But Whose Business ?

 

By: Jack Dalton

 

 

 

Budget deficits as far as the eye can see; Balance of Trade deficits growing by

$45-$50 billion per month; an unprecedented national health care crisis;

Households below the poverty level increasing almost exponentially; A decreasing

Veterans Administration budget that can't come close to filling the needs of the

increasing numbers of veterans seeking care-including the over 25,000 veterans

of the Bush/Cheney war of choice in Iraq.

 

 

 

The list of this nations financial woes is seemingly endless. Rising prices with

decreasing wages. Corporate tax dodgers and cheats coupled with $200 billion off

budget money already plowed into Iraq are breaking the " national piggy bank. "

This is putting even more downward economic pressure on a rapidly vanishing

middle-class, with no end in sight.

 

 

 

Over 1,000 dead U.S. troops in Iraq and thousands more wounded, maimed in body

and mind. Thousands more contaminated and poisoned by depleted uranium-while

BushCo continues to deny DU's negative health impact (this is the same thing

that was done to us that served in the Vietnam war and were contaminated by

Agent Orange-Depleted Uranium will be worse, much, much worse).

 

 

 

So what's my point with all of this? Just this: Our economy, contrary to the

Bush/Cheney team of " creative accountants, " is headed for a serious and

significant " downturn " -crash is the term I keep seeing.

 

 

 

With all we are faced with, what is the answer we see and hear from Congress?

Yep, its pay raise time! At a time of endless deficits; rising prices;

decreasing wages, etc., the " hard " working, " trustworthy, " " ethical " and

" honorable " members of congress will be getting a $4,000 per year pay raise!

 

 

 

This will be the 6th and 7th consecutive pay raise for the House and Senate

members in as many years.

 

 

 

There isn't enough money in the national treasury to give those on disability

income (V.A. or Social Security) but a 1.3% cost of living increase-most of

which will be negated by the 17% increase in Medicare payments, the largest

increase in the history of Medicare. At the same time, our esteemed members of

congress will walk away with another $4,000 per year.

 

 

 

The troops in Iraq, we are constantly told, need our support. Yes, they do, but

why do they still lack proper equipment? Why do they still lack proper

logistical support form Halliburton which has been paid billions? Why do so many

families of those serving in Iraq have to apply for food stamps? Why do they

have to buy so much of their own equipment before going to Iraq?

 

 

 

Why do those that are in congress that have allowed these things to take place

feel they deserve a pay raise? What is wrong with this picture?

 

 

 

Not enough money, and the social safety net is being slowly eliminated-cut

spending is the neo-con mantra. These are the same people that cut un-employment

insurance and yet they will gladly accept this new pay raise.

 

 

 

This will put the House and Senate above $162,000 per year-which does not

include the massive amounts they get for expenses, staff, etc. Dick Cheney, as

the head of the Senate, Dennis Hassert-Speaker of the House and Chief Justice Wm

Rehnquist will jump to over $203,000 per year.

 

 

 

It's not the salaries that I object to; I object to their getting another pay

raise on the backs of the nation's taxpayers at a time when the people of this

nation cannot make ends meet. Bankruptcies this past year were the highest in

the countries history. This year is stacking up to be much worse. I object due

to the fact so many of our troops, Reservists and National Guard personnel have

not only been decimated financially due to having been sent to Iraq, but they

and their families are literally paying the bill for the war they were sent to

by the Bush/Cheney cabal.

 

 

 

The simple fact is this current Republican controlled congress with all its

" arm-chair " warriors have deliberately created this economic disaster- " Starve

the Beast " is the term they use, ala Newt Gingrich.

 

 

 

The " Beast " being what at one time was the societal " safety net " that was

created out of the " Great Depression. "

 

 

 

It is so very clear to this writer that the only interests they are serving are

their own, and the corporate interests that help keep them in office. There is

definitely a re-distribution of wealth going on-and it's all upward. Even those

sent into the " Heart of Darkness " that is war are suffering because of this.

 

 

 

These are the very same people that keep telling us we are at war and sacrifices

must be made. Why is it the only people that seem to be doing the " sacrificing "

are the American taxpayers (at least the ones that work for a living) and the

very people that have been sent to war?

 

 

 

 

 

Sources and additional references:

 

 

 

Beyond The Baseline: 10 Year Deficit Projections

 

http://www.ombwatch.org/article/articleview/2390/1/2/?TopicID=3

 

 

 

House Votes to Give Itself Pay Raise

 

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/09/15/congress.payraise.ap/index.html

 

 

 

Operation Truth

 

http://optruth.com/main.cfm

 

 

 

Income and Inequality: Millions Left Behind

 

http://www.adaction.org/Income2004.pdf

 

 

 

Paying the Price: The Mounting Costs of the Iraq War

 

http://www.ccmep.org/2004_articles/iraq/062604_paying.htm

 

 

 

Windfalls of War

 

http://www.publicintegrity.org/wow/

 

 

 

Iraq Veterans Against War

 

http://www.ivaw.net/news.htm

 

 

 

Scientific Studies of Depleted Uranium Suppressed

 

http://www.mindfully.org/Nucs/2004/DU-WHO-Suppressed22feb04.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jack Dalton is a disabled Vietnam veteran and freelance writer that lives in

Portland, Oregon. He may be contacted thru his web site at www.ommp.org thru

his blog at http://jackdalton.bluelemur.com His email address is

Jack_dalton He accepts all comments good or bad; not all are answered

but all are read.

 

 

 

 

http://pets.care2.com/

 

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com

 

" It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument. " -- William G. McAdoo

" Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing

health care to all Americans is socialism. " -- anon