[for more on the Liberty Bill - http://www.hanover.k12.va.us/lms/Libert ... ibbill.htm]
I have often wondered why defense contractors should make great profits off the very government that is protecting them.
I imagine an earlier mankind (kind?), when we were, let's say, nomadic. Foes show up on the horizon and the tribe collectively defends themselves from harm. Did the arrow makers say "I'll sell you my arrows for extra buffalo meat"..? I think not. Afterall the tribe was reliant upon each other for not only safety but for food, shelter, horses, health, etc... it was the tribal duty to provide for the welfare of the others as it was for the others to provide what they could to the same tribe. That was nationalism in its infancy compared to what it has grown into.
Now we have Halliburtons and Boeings and General Electrics, etc, saying, in effect, pay us what we want and we will provide defense for the country. So our government, in order to provide defense, is submitting to this form of thievery of our collective monies in order to remain safe. Who protects the Treasury? Where is the reasonable person that says, "Whoa! You, Mr. Defense Contractor, are asking for billions of dollars to defend the very country you are doing business in and are completely unaccountable as to how "your daddy's money" is being spent?" Sure they will present some papers justifying their demands, but when they are pocketing unreasonable profits it has the stench of dishonesty - because of their business they could theoretically sell to the highest bidder, regardless of what country it may be.
Despite what we think of our government being strong, honest and worthy of the founding fathers ideals, the truth seems closer to 'our government is subservient' to not only the defense contractors, but to the most powerful of corporations... those that have the best lobbyists buying influence and power at any cost.
Is this what "we the people" want "in order to form a more perfect union" where our own "justice, domestic tranquility and common defense" will not only "promote" but insure " the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity"?
I personally think that not only should the Ten Commandments be left out of schools and federal properties but an emphasis should be placed on posting our Constitution and Bill of Rights granted to all the citizens of this country, (not just Christians or any other faiths), upon the walls of all classrooms and federal and state buildings... including any and all government contractors that make their living off the same monies that 'we the people' pay in taxes.
From where I stand I clearly see there is currently too much emphasis placed upon religion and not nearly enough emphasis (if any at all..) is placed upon our most cherished of documents - the Consitution and all that it encompasses.
These are indeed dangerous times. The most dangerous is the threat of terrorists... and terrorists can take the form of many and all shapes. It is not just the Al Quada's, not just the insurgents in Iraq or Afghanistan, not just the Muslim radicals in Palestine or Chechnya... there is definitely a growing terror from the self-annoited "Kings of Corporations" both within our borders that are threatening our Constitutional rights of "Justice, Tranquility, general Welfare, and the Blessings of Liberty."
Cecil
25 June 2005
That's why I write.
