Monday, March 31, 2008

Democrats: Stay on issues and attack John McCain!

The Democrats have to stop attacking each other , stay on the top four issues and attack John McCain and his Bush policies. After many debates and personal coverage, the American public knows what Hillary and Barack stand for as candidates. They have very little differences between their policies and what needs to be done. They differ greatly from John McCain's failed Bush policies. And Americans should know those differences beat daily in the media. American Democrats accept either Obama or Clinton . One or both can be in the White House for as many as sixteen years... Both can have their time as president if, they learn to lose their egos, they stop attacking each other, and go after McCain. Doing it in tandem takes away his advantage of no one opposing him until November.

Let the process play out:
We have to allow the citizens to give their votes in the remaining states. Urging one to drop out is not the American democratic way. Every State has a right for citizens to vote and have their vote count. This includes Michigan and Florida. So, let the system play out. It is going to be decided at the Democratic Convention in June by the delegates. Neither Hillary or Barack will probably garner ample winning votes. Remember, contrary to what the medial pundits say, this is not a a democratic mess, it is about two powerful candidates running even. Both have the same message, but different styles of delivering that message.

Let the delegates shut up:
We have heard certain senators who are delegates open their mouths supporting their own personal point of view and candidate. They do no good with this sordid rhetoric and betrays their position as a delegate. It really clouds the issues in the 10 states yet to vote. Let them shut the hell up, until it is time at the convention for their input.

Let the surrogates shut off the infighting and attack McCain and his policies:
The candidates should force their surrogates to shut off the infighting and focus on the policy larder of McCain. The exception to this would be Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton, who as spouses have an vested interest in the race.

Don't give the media ammunition for the Republican playbook:
The media works on contrasts and sensationalism. The Republicans love to see the Democrats squabble and so does the media. They make Democrats appear disjointed and not fostering the same policies together. The media likes this because it gives them a day in the office, a reason for being. They love to second guess the American people but, they are not good at it. It's their day job! Do not give them ammunition by playing their game!! They are way out of line by calling for either Hillary or Barack to step aside, they love to make it a frenzy.

By focusing on McCain's tired policies, Hillary and Barack can work as a team to take apart his stale rhetoric on the Bush failed policies, and by comparison show the difference in the Democrat policies.

Know that one will/can be the vice president and will eventually be the president:
Hillary and Barack are both young enough to be the president in waiting. One will probably with the agreement from the DNC and delegates have to agree on the vice president's position. That is a solid one-two punch for the next sixteen years. It also keeps the Independents with the Democrats. However, fractured egos in this situation can defeat the race for the prize.

Keep your eyes on the prize:
Agree this is a possibility and agree to give accommodations to the office and the party. Keep your eyes on the prize. Do not give it away for the sake of pride. Above all, the candidates should be smart. Both are acceptable and will make excellent presidents. This does not have to be a winner take all situation, Both candidates can share their abilities, political skills, fighting capacity and knowledge. They can both be historic winners, and so can this country. Bush will leave this nation in such shambles it may take both of them to clean it up.


Why won't the US arm the Iraqi army?

The Iraqi army has one important component to fight a war...manpower!

They do not have the field equipment, training, general officer corps with strategic planning ability, or the heart to fight the war. Yes, they have the troops in numbers individually equipped by the US government.

The US is willing to provide individual and personal equipment to wage battle; uniforms, ammunition, guns, helmets, but, even flack jackets for the Iraqis are questionable. They do not have the support equipment needed to sustain a battle. If ole George gets his way, they aren't going to get it for a long time.

This Iraqi army has had difficulty after their five year struggle to "stand up." Even now, in 2008 they have difficult time of mustering troops for battle and standing up without the US involvement in support. The fighting in Basra against al-Sadr's Mahdi army has shown they need the US support.

No, this is not a standing army poised to win a war with tanks, long range artillery, heavy duty mortar, or armored carriers for troops. This is a barely trained army going into the breach of battle with a gun and bullets. There is not even a good sustaining medical system for the wounded.

The Iraqi Air Force is almost non-existent, except for a few prop driven fighter aircraft, light aircraft, a dismal amount of helicopters and transport planes. So, officers cannot call for any of their own air support, only what the Americans are willing to provide. There is no navy to consider. Is this how we spend a huge amount of treasure, five precious years and over 4,000 lives of our sons and daughters to equip and sustain an army supposed to be on our side? Is this how the surge is working, and we are preparing Iraq to stand alone? The Bush administration is tied to the Iraqi government like an dead Albatross around Bush's neck.

What is missing in this equation?

An idea for consideration, and may not be far fetched to the open mind. Maybe, ole George does not want to win the war in Iraq. Perhaps, just perhaps, Bush/McCain wants the Iraqis dependent on us. Then we can control their oil. and contain flair-ups in the region? Are we fearful to arm the Iraqi troops into a well trained fighting force with equipment that would make a difference in battle? It appears so! Does McCain's statement about a hundred years ring a bell?

Think abstractly now. Do we want to give force like al-Sadr the possibility of obtaining serious equipment that can be used against us and may make a difference in the battles. Are so joined with Israel at the hip that when the say"crap" we ask them to tell us what color they would like. Suppose the Iraqi army was well trained with a decent officer corps, well equipped to do battle on a winning basis and decided to support Palestine with a preemptive strike against the Israelis?

Tell me, what do the Israelis bring to the American table, that we should have to be in lockstep in every move with them? Well, perhaps because they do our dirty work in the Middle East.

No, the possibilities are too great, old George will not successfully train and arm the Iraqi army, he cannot afford it. they will just have to struggle along being fifth class army. But inquiring minds may ask, what happens if there is a political revolt in Iraq and al-Sadr (who is very popular religious cleric) over-throws Maliki and becomes the Prime Minister of Iraq. Iran's influence and arms will be and has been no different than ours with Israel.

Why are we arming the Sunnis in a foreign sovereign nation, and complain when Iran does it with the Shiites?

Friday, March 28, 2008

No earmarks for McCain. Does Arizona suffer from his irrational beliefs?

John McCain, Republican presidential candidate takes a point of pride in touting to the American people and the Republican Party that in his 21 years as a US Senator from Arizona, he has never requested a penny in government earmarks for his home state for their worthy projects. His Democratic counterparts have requested millions in needed earmark funds for their represented states. Most have been for good, valuable causes.

Consequently, Arizona received no funds from John McCain's office. One can suppose he feels there are no veteran's needs, hospitals, schools, highways, law enforcement civic needs, or Border projects for men and equipment that can use government funds to assist them in fighting the illegal border crossing McCain is so fond of flaunting the need for help.

So Arizona, your senator has let your down. Are you are satisfied with his attitude and irrational beliefs.? But, are they missing out, and not getting the financial support from your senator.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

John McCain: Anti-American with cold heart and forked tongue

It is quite evident Republican presidential candidate John McCain does not really care about putting Americans back to work, or even keeping American jobs in this country. He may talk a good game, but his arrogant actions prove him as one candidate who does not tell the truth to the American people, and does not take the side of the American worker.

The military procurement system is notoriously flawed and corrupt. It certainly has its favorites for the lucrative defense contracts. A watch-dog or oversight mentality is one thing to be on guard against this fraud and corruption. However, it is something else for McCain to use his senatorial influence to tilt the scales away from American contractors, ignoring the basic requirements of "Buy American", and keep the work at home for Americans to do. After all, we are the people who pay the taxes to get the defense work accomplished... right?

More rhetoric and actions from McCain's cold heart and forked tongue cuts the political air. It is hard to say if he is just dumb, or does not know any better. One thing is clear, the American people have to be protected from Bush ideology with a Democratic vote. It is obvious he does not have much of a conscience for the plight of the American economy and worker.

And it is very perceptive, his Republican backers are amazed at his lack of common sense not to award an American defense contract to an American company like Boeing. McCain has repeatedly voted against legislation encouraging defense contracts be awarded to American companies. He even voted against an amendment requiring defense contractors to indicate on their contracts what percentage of the contract would be manufactured in the US.

Does Republican presidential candidate McCain understand we do not have a world order of imperialism. Does he realize he is representing the United States, and its 300 million people?

His latest escapade is his involvement and tacit intervention in the Air Force Tanker contract that pushed the contract to be awarded it to European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) the parent company of Airbus. This award was over the American based competitor Boeing's bid.

Think of it my friends, McCain is instrumental in out-sourcing this defense contract to a European company, when its Euro is weakening the American dollar in the world market. What is the sense, especially when people are crying for jobs in the American economy. How will this act boost the failing Bush economy now in a full blown recession?

This is a typical Bush tactic to cultivate friends who can be a friend of John McCain for the Bush/McCain third term.

Now please understand, McCain is using American taxpayer funds to support the purchase of the new Air Force tankers from EADS over Boeing, and at the cost of 44,000 new and existing American jobs. Military analysts indicate the most we can expect is no more than 2,000 jobs from EADS. Who knows how many jobs this will mean and their impact on the European economy.

How about the truth from your cold heart and forked tongue, Senator McCain?