A Look At What's Happening

By: Norm Walker

Here we are coming to the end of the year 2002. Let's take a look at what is going on. Life in 2002 in this wonderful country was not as much fun this past year as in the recent past. The Federal Government has intruded into practically every aspect of our lives in order to restrict liberty. And all this from people that promised less government.

It's been 15 months since 9/11 and no other obvious act of terrorism has been committed against the United States here in the homeland. Yet, everyday the 'Administration of the Twig' finds new ways to constrict liberty. One attack and a disorganized group of extremist have instilled fear, hysteria, prejudiced intolerance, and caused numerous new laws to be enacted. What would it be like if the terrorist attacked with some degree of regularity?

The conservatives have fallen in love with the current conditions. They are almost gleeful that they have circumstances that they can label "war". Anything to keep the priorities of government away from domestic problems.

You have to ask yourself: "What do the conservatives want?" Here is what I think. It's obvious, from my point of view, that they want to discredit the service side of government, deregulate industry, undermine trade unions, erode liberties and democratic values, and trash long-standing principles of foreign policy A lot of people think all the Democrat vs. Republican difference is about taxes, or social programs, or such things as prescription drugs. No, No, No, my friends this is an attempt to take over the hearts and minds of the American people. This is a desire to instill in all Americans values that are an anathema to liberty. These values are antidemocratic. They are the values of the corporatist.

The administration's desire to instill fear in the individual citizen is paramount for it's success. An unafraid populous will not surrender their constitutional rights to the satisfaction of the moral absolutist. Defiance toward the intrusions upon our liberty will be considered unlawful and grounds for punishment, if they have their way. The imposition of their values, whatever they be, is their true mission. Think and behave as they say, not as they do, is the prime mission of conservatives.

As we move into 2003 we don't know the ramifications of the Patriot Act. We don't know the affect of the Homeland Security Department. We don't know the limits on the intrusiveness of the Total Information Awareness Office. We have no idea of the influence on America from the Faith Based Programs. Our future is in the hands of people who don't feel they have to explain anything. In only two years this is what conservatives have given us. Just look at what is happening to us. What will two more years bring?