tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post6322482359109124850..comments2023-09-11T08:58:24.710-06:00Comments on Reach Upward: The Coronation CycleScott Hinrichshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11831447472339880148noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-56528229505419882952007-10-07T11:12:00.000-06:002007-10-07T11:12:00.000-06:00I highly recommend this on the topic of the milita...I highly recommend this on the topic of the military-industrial complex:<BR/><BR/>http://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Fight-John-McCain/dp/B000FBH3W2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-6710695-3271027?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1191776966&sr=1-1<BR/><BR/>It's definitely against the current war, but as someone who grew up conservative and still believes (even if some disagree) that I retain many core conservative values (responsibility, hard work, divine inspiration behind the Constitution), I like this film's approach. It starts with Eisenhower's farewell address and does not go on as an anti-Bush screed. It is aimed at showing the deeper structural issues at play that extend far beyond just the past 7 years. Very worth watching.NonArab-Arabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16983377704212047641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-48492178837627564472007-10-07T09:48:00.000-06:002007-10-07T09:48:00.000-06:00I have to agree about the use of contractors, part...I have to agree about the use of contractors, particularly large contracting firms that benefit from disasters and wars. The increased use of contractors is a direct result of the ideological avoidance of direct government action and the crony capitalism practiced by the Republican Party.Charles Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02975241234146573609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-85318760486845640622007-10-06T21:28:00.000-06:002007-10-06T21:28:00.000-06:00A lot of tangents one could go down with this one,...A lot of tangents one could go down with this one, but I'd add that the manner in which one reduces government bloat is important. The "contracting" route has turned into an amazing debacle of greed, blood, and waste it boggles the mind (though apparently not most politicians' minds). You would not believe the number of new millionaires created in Washington the past 7 years most of whom are selling services privates in the military used to do, new and ridiculous ways to be consulted on how to be scared, or tools for big brother to get bigger and more intrusive.<BR/><BR/>It's not just Blackwater, the contractors have become an entirely new political class. They've always been there, but they have grown exponentially and are driven by nothing but a profit motive with their only "client" being the federal government, meaning their goal is to suck, suck, suck tax dollars away and usually succeed quite admirably by doing that on a cost-plus basis. From Washington to Baghdad.<BR/><BR/>Eisenhower rightly warned of the military-industrial complex, these guys (and even beyond just the military portion of it) are the ultimate fulfillment of that warning.NonArab-Arabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16983377704212047641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-58104439976003737382007-10-06T08:30:00.000-06:002007-10-06T08:30:00.000-06:00There are a couple of reasons why the dynasty appr...There are a couple of reasons why the dynasty approach is wrong.<BR/><BR/>First, we need to return to Constitutional government with separation of powers, a strong legislative branch and an end to the "unitary executive" theory of government. Executive power increased under both Bushs and under Clinton and would likely increase under Hillary as well. That is destructive of our democracy.<BR/><BR/>Secondly we need to reform campaign financing. As long as the same interests fund the "major" candidates of both parties, we are never going to get government that is responsive to the needs of ordinary Americans and serves to strengthen our nation. <BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, many who are always calling for limited government mean to limit the government's ability to provide for the general welfare of its citizens while turning a blind eye to government's increasing attacks on our basic freedoms. I want government to stop torturing people, to stop spying on Americans without warrants, to stop conducting its business in secret to hide wrongdoing and ineptness, and to stop declaring war unconstitutionally.Charles Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02975241234146573609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-11528441121087814162007-10-06T01:41:00.000-06:002007-10-06T01:41:00.000-06:00IMHO, The worst thing that happened during the rei...IMHO, The worst thing that happened during the reign of Bush the First was the war with Iraq. The worst thing that happened during the reign of Clinton the First was Hillary Care.<BR/><BR/>I doubt we would have invaded Iraq if anyone other than Bush was president.<BR/><BR/>This dynasty thing has us caught in a perpetual cycle of reliving our worst moments.y-intercepthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03389285761013186443noreply@blogger.com