So now a little anti Bush administration rant.
Ok, with all the low fruit from the debates, I think I’m beginning to sound like a Republican. So I guess it’s time for a tirade against the Bush administration.
I’m getting sick of the current administration’s, greatly magnified, adoption of the Microsoft tactic FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt). We as Americans are giving up rights and privileges in exchange for only the appearance of security. Why is it that my fellow Americans seem oblivious to the erosion of their freedom? I cannot figure it out, maybe we have become so “Fat, Dumb, and Happy” that we no longer see why the founding fathers thought liberty was important.
I guess it was only a matter of time. The news media has sensationalized and over-covered violence and crime to the point that everyone feels they are unsafe. Many children are no longer able to play at the empty lot at the end of the street, or even walk themselves home from school alone, because we as a country have become so paranoid, and afraid that we keep children penned up out of fear that the boogie man will get them. No wonder we are raising a whole generation of kids that cannot seem to get jobs and move out of the house when they are done with school. Ever more they are moving back to the security of the environment they have known all their lives instead of getting out of the nest and becoming contributing members of society (but that’s another rant).
Then came 9-11, the day that changed the US forever, but only because we decided to make it change us forever, and certain political leaders have found that spreading fear makes for a more passive populace. Ok, 9-11 was a horrible thing, and many lives were wasted, but NO government on the face of this earth has been able to prevent terrorism, why do we think that this country or this president can? Not arguing that Kerry will do better, I’ve sent emails on his record of anti-privacy voting practice already.
Also there is the case of the complete lack of perspective we have put on 9-11. I blame this mostly on sensationalism from the media. There were less than 3,000 deaths on 9-11. Here are some statistics for the US on the average year:
1. The flu kills 36,000 people a year and hospitalizes 114,000.
2. 7,000 people die from medication errors while in the Hospital.
3. 12,000 people die from unnecessary surgery.
4. 80,000 people die every year as a result of infections they picked up while in the hospital.
5. Alcohol abuse is blamed for 75,000 deaths.
6. Gluttony gets 300,000 people per year
7. Illegal drug use kills 20,000 per year
8. 42,000 die every year in motor vehicle accidents.
Remember this is how many die every single year. Since September 11th, 2004 the flu has killed 108,000, roughly 36 times the number of people who died from terrorism on US soil. Where is the knee-jerk call for a “Department of Viral Security”? Where are the billions of dollars in funding for anti-flu measures? We just lost half of this year’s flu vaccine supply. I don’t see anyone in Washington screaming and ramming through legislation to make us feel better about it.
Gluttony has killed nearly 1 million people since 9-11. I don’t see a government sponsored monitoring, and crackdown on the evil and ever-present “All You Can Eat Buffet”. The CIA should be profiling every Shoney’s, Golden Corral, and Indian restaurant in the country. People are dying out there!!! Albeit only 300 times as many people as 9-11 (over the last 3 years), so I can see why it’s not a huge priority. Why doesn’t the government remove our right to eat as much as we want? Man I sure would feel safer…
Here is an interesting bit about HR 10 which is currently working it’s way into law as we speak. Welcome to the world of the national ID card, with biometric identification (which is already proven to not work). Regarding the findings of the precious 9-11 commission. Does anyone realize how scary creating a cabinet level position for an Intelligence Czar? Now whatever administration is in power will have complete control over spy satellites, and compilation all intelligence information. I can’t believe people fear 9-11 so much that they will ignore the dismantling of safeguards that protect us from an Orwellian future. If you think I’m a sounding a little too black-helecopterish, lets just work with two fameous figures from the last 50 years. Picture in your minds eye J. Edgar Hoover with massively improved ability to collect, identify, and retrieve data. Think about how much safer we would be if Senator Eugene Joseph McCarthy had had unlimited access to intelligence info, which included all your purchasing habits, medical records, email conversations, etc…
“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety”. – Benjamin Franklin