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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS HERALD |
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To the Editor: In response to Renee Moreau’s letter of April 6: I do not wish to engage in a “tit-for-tat” exchange, but I would like to state these items, for the record: I am actually a registered Republican, not a Democrat. However, I vote my conscience in every election, because I prefer to think for myself, and not defer to the "party line." And I, along with the majority of Americans, think the country is in trouble. To answer criticism with “where are your ideas?” is an attempt to skirt the issues at hand, and who actually caused those issues. That, in reality, is really the behavior of a “half-baked, hormonal 14 year-old," to use Ms. Moreau's line. Deflecting criticism and passing the buck doesn't get you off the hook. The purpose of my original letter was to let columnist Gordon Bishop know that the majority of Americans are not happy with the state of our union, in direct response to his almost weekly assertions that President Bush is doing a great job (and anyone who disagrees is a communist). Offering "new ideas" would have to be the subject of an entirely new letter. But this begs the question: why am I being asked to offer new ideas anyway? Is that not what our Republican-controlled Congress and White House are supposed to be doing? Isn't that why they were elected, to come up with solutions to problems (and hopefully not create new ones)? Why is the blame being shifted to Joe Q. Public, just because we happen to notice that this administration is failing the people? Where is the accountability? If you read my letter, you will notice that I did in fact offer some suggestions: stop advocating/allowing torture, practice fiscal responsibility, introduce effective pollution legislation. (If you would like to read more new ideas, please see below.) Regarding the facts I cited, they are "straight" and their sources can be easily provided. For example, an AP report dated April 6, 2006, mentions that “just 36 percent of the public approves of Bush's job performance.” That would mean that 64% do not, which is very close to the “roughly 67%” I wrote about. Please let me know what other sources you would like me to cite. I don’t understand the “immorality” comment – is it immoral to question the leadership of one’s country? On the contrary, it is our civic duty. Had the original colonists never questioned the English Parliament and king, there would be no USA. As Thomas Jefferson said, "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." Here are some ideas to get our country back on the right track (for those who are content to rubber-stamp the actions of the current administration): • Devise a plan for getting our troops out of the quagmire that is Iraq. ASAP. President Bush recently stated that the next president will have to oversee our withdrawal, which would be no sooner than 2009. I feel that is way too long to wait. 17,000 American casualties, and counting, is not acceptable. When will we say "enough is enough?" • Make an immediate, honest and sincere effort to explore alternate sources of energy, and significantly raise fuel standards for the auto industry. It is time to look to the future, and not try to drill every inch of our country (especially our protected national parks and shorelines) for whatever oil might be left. Oil is not the future; let’s start thinking about the future. • We need to repair the serious damage that has been done to our international reputation. Why did we invade Iraq without a mandate from the UN? Why did we pull out of Kyoto? Why are we not part of the International Criminal Court? We should be taking an active role in the world community, in fact leading it, not “going it alone.” Are invasions of Iran and North Korea next? • The environmental assault by this administration has been unprecedented. Besides the continued attempt by certain lobby groups to drill in the Arctic Refuge, we also have: Congressman Pombo (R-CA) trying to weaken the Endangered Species Act (which saved our icon, the bald eagle); the Clear Skies Act (opposed by numerous environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, et al); the aforementioned withdrawal from Kyoto; the administration’s attempt to overturn the “"Roadless Area Conservation Rule." There are several more examples, but I believe the point has been made. Let's stop the madness and catering to industry lobbyists. Once our wild places are gone, they are gone, forever. • The budget deficits we have now are the highest in history. The Iraq War is expected to cost upwards of $1 trillion dollars before it is over. And still the administration wants to talk about tax cuts? We can’t be cutting our revenue when we intend to be spending more than ever before; the numbers don’t add up. We need to cut spending. And we can start with getting out of Iraq. These are just a few things we can do, although there is much work to be done. I now turn it back to you, Ms. Moreau. I would like to hear what NEW IDEAS you have for the country. Unless, of course, you are happy with the status quo. Which puts you in the minority. Sincerely, John S. Kaminski
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