Happy Two Year Anniversary Iraq War!

I just can't believe that we are at war. There is not a huge feeling in this country that we are at war. At least, not to me, but then I have my Hubby at home with me and Noah is way too young to be drafted. When I think of the billions of dollars this country has spent, especially the 9 billion that has gone missing, I am infuriated. When I think of the hundreds of civilians killed and soldiers killed, I am heavy with saddness. When I think of the president doing this to make his buddies richer and get control of all that oil, I almost burst with anger.

And don't tell me it was for "weapons of mass destruction." They weren't there. They were never there. And don't tell me it was for "liberation." That's just the new focus of the day spit out by this administration. Democracy is a good thing. It's a good thing to happen to Iraq. But that's not why we went there. It's just justification for the horrors we inflicted on their country. And what ever happened to Bin Laden? I'm sure the families of the 9/11 victims are wondering how invading Iraq is supposed to make them feel better.

So we are now 400 billion dollars in the hole. To countries like China, who try to keep us solvent so we will keep buying their products. And the Bush administration is working hard to push the new budget through. Their new budget that is basically a loan application to other countries for more money. And the cuts? Yes, let's talk about the budget cuts. What was it that Bush kept saying was the answer to our weakened economy? Wasn't it education? People should get more education so they can find a job, right? Well, he is cutting the No Child Left Behind Act budget. No, not cutting, slashing. Slashing his little soapbox he stood on for the first election. Nice. Real nice. And Pell Grants. Can't leave those college students any help either!

What else is on the chopping block? Yup, you guessed it, Medicare. Time for those seniors to take on another job at Walmart. Yes, Walmart. One of the many companies that get tax breaks the poor, elderly and middle class can only dream of. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. And the crazy thing is that so many people don't seem worried about the state our country is in. They bitch about gas being $2.19 a gallon, but don't bitch about Bush's actions that have gotten us to this point. I just don't get it.

I remember when I graduated from college in 1995. The economy was booming and jobs were there for my taking. I started out temping and was making $14 an hour. It was easy to pit clients against each other since there were so many offers. Job hopping was the norm as well, since it was easier to step up to that next rung, or a better paying lateral move. Jump ahead 10 years and that situation is now a job seeker's wet dream. Jobs are fewer and temping means sacrificing pay to get a placement. The stock market and retirement funds are a scary thought for retirees, not a positive addition to your social security. Will I even have social security by the time I retire? Will I even live long enough to get it? What will the age be to start by the time I reach my golden years? 70? 75?

It's hard to stay positive. It's hard to be an American.