As Thanksgiving Approaches – It’s not all bad news

11/10/2005

Paul Munnis

At a time when Democrats are beating the GOP to a pulp in the media and at the polls and while the U.S. House is creating a spending bill that will seal their doom in the 2006 elections, we want to take a moment out to recognize some positive things starting to show as faint plusses for the GOP.

The economy is showing signs of life again. Several things are happening to foster this. Many credit cards bills have been paid-off or reduced and that is creating new consumer strength. Gasoline prices are declining at the pump creating some room for relief in personal budgets. The weather is holding off the high heating bills for us northerners. Jobs are being created as Baby Boomers start to retire or are being pushed out of the workplace. A quality backlash is making companies wonder at the wisdom of outsourcing jobs to India and China. The American dollar is rising against the ECU as riots in France and inflation in Europe, combined with high un-employment across Europe, make the dollar once again seem a safe haven. The Chinese are slowly revaluing their currency. All of these are good economic signs and if sustainable could be helpful for our future.

There isn’t a lot of good news in Iraq but the Constitution did pass. A national election is scheduled for December. Politically the Sunni’s have been forced to play on both sides of the fence even participating in the political process of nation building while they oppose the government in Civil War. The Sunni’s realize that not to play in politics is a problem for them. A surprise could happen after the Iraqi election. It has a low probability but the new Iraqi government could thank the U.S. for our help and then ask us to set up a withdrawal timetable and turn the responsibility of military policing over to the new government. A sudden exit window could open up unexpectedly. Also, the U.S. military is starting to deal with border infiltration and that is a first step to stopping the flow of insurgent fighters and arms from neighboring countries. In time this tactic will pay dividends. It is also a sign that they can depend more on the Iraqi Army since they are sharing the border security role and providing OJT for the Iraq military.

In foreign policy the U.S. is engaging the North Koreans and the Iranians in a proper manner using the UN. It’s a long, slow, diplomatic process, but it could yield much better results for the U.S. than bombs, bullets, and occupation. There are also slight positive signs of democratic governing rearing its head in the middle-east. For example, while not satisfactory in conduct, at least elections were held in Egypt and people did vote in them. There are some signs that people recognize that they could have a say in their government and its politics. Democracy is contagious; once one gets a taste of democracy it’s habit-forming. The December election in Iraq will further fuel this democratic ideal even as the press reports Iraqi elections and the results. With not much help from the U.S. the Israelis are wrestling their way to accommodation with Palestine. As they do, it lowers the level of violence since both sides are paying a high price in forging a peace. Neither side wants to see these peace attempts fail.

After five years of an anti-science stance the White House has backed an accelerated form of vaccine production to help in developing aviary flu. We don’t know what the outcome will be but at least they are trying and that is a positive thing.

Our Constitutional form of separation of powers did work in the Harriet Miers appointment case and it shows that our Constitution still has a halo about it—when it’s allowed to shine. Federalization is still a mainstay of the American government and is saving America from a lot of mayhem in governance, an example is Gay Rights which must be decided on the basis of the fifty-states instead of in the Congress.

Unfortunately the U.S. in the conduct of its politics is not setting a good example for the developing democratic nations. While decrying the Iraqi and Iranian government formation efforts as too theocratic we are racing to tear down the walls of separation between Church and State here in America. While encouraging people to vote and clean up their election processes abroad America’s own political process is proving corrupt, unethical, and immoral. The public debate over torture and abuse of civilians is an embarrassment to many Americans. And, the government corruption being exhibited in Washington is a national disgrace. Yet there are some signs that Americans are demanding a clean-up and a return to accepted ethics and morals in government and that in turn is holding the religious fundamentalists in check even as justice closes in on the criminals.

If you are a Democrat you can be thankful that the GOP Social Contract has been exposed as poor in concept and implementation and is now unmasked for the shallow deal that it represents for Americans and their families. We can also be thankful that people like Martin Luther King helped America avoid the riots that are plaguing France when he called for a non-violent response to racial injustice. It seems that Martin Luther King was a saving grace to America, a gift from God at a time when we badly needed it in order to avoid race riots and urban mayhem. We can be thankful for Jesse Jackson, no matter how you feel about him as a person, for continuing that tradition and responsibility.

Big bears grow-up from tiny cubs and everything must have a beginning. Maybe some positive beginnings are starting and need to be recognized in order to encourage and foster their growth and development. Let’s hope so and let us try to build on the brighter things when it is possible for us to do so. I know it sounds distant but this is a quiet call for America to return to bi-partisanship and we can let our Congressional people know that we mean it as they return home for Thanksgiving.