Blue Moon

I wrote this the evening before election day, but I'll call it my voting day meditation.

After too many days of perverted news, my body and mind yearned to disgorge the offenses and reinstate the simple truths, according to me. What follows is a testimonial of what being a patriotic American means to me:

I do not support wars of aggression, even when couched in patriotic terms. I fear the loss of my humanity more than I fear death via terrorist depradations.

I do not support torture, or inhumane interrogation techniques. I don't support the U.S. military machine killing Iraqis and Afghanis in my name.

I do not support spreading democracy through military invasion.

I do not believe that terrorists can destroy the American way of life, nor do I believe that they desire to do so. I think current U.S. policy only exacerbates the terrorist threat, and I believe that only American actions can destroy our way of life.

I believe in habeus corpus and the U.S. legal system. Federal courts, not military tribunals, are the hallmark of American justice.

I believe in a separation and balance of powers. I believe the courts, and not presidential diktat, should interpret the constitutionality of laws.

I believe in bipartisanship. Neither party represents the totality that is the U.S. Moreover, I believe that the U.S. needs a new 3rd party that represents the great middle class; they've been left hanging for too long now. I also believe that political debates should not scripted.

I believe that all elected officials work for the citizens. The U.S. government does not pay for anything, it administrates from the pockets of the U.S. taxpayers.

I believe all U.S. citizens deserve access to health care. We do not deserve the title of superpower if we cannot provide for this most basic human need.

I believe the Department of Veteran's Affairs needs to be funded, rather than having their budget negotiated by politicians. Veterans paid for their health and disability payments through their service.

I believe a professional military is not in the best interests of the U.S., and that a draft is a good thing. I also believe that all citizens should perform two years of mandatory service following graduation, be it in the armed or civilian services. Americorps, Vista and Peace Corps are fine ways to discharge one's duty to society. Living in a democracy entails not only rights but reposibilities, also.

I believe that the Secretary of Defense and all service secretaries should have combat or military experience.

I believe that my tax dollars should save lives, not end them.

I believe that the U.S. is greater than the policies of GWB would indicate. The concept of America is long-term and big picture; the leadership provided by GWB is myopic, and by nature, short term.

I believe national leaders should have to pass a psychological inventory before being placed on a ballot. The lowest rifleman in the military is psychologically screened, so why not those in the top tiers of government, upon whose decisions many more lives ride?

I do not believe that God has a role directing U.S. foreign policy.

I do not believe that senior military officials should be promoted or rewarded on the basis of their religiosity. Military competenece alone should be recognized and rewarded. Religion and democracy have been conflated and subverted by the religious right.

Nor that anyone should be imprisoned--secretly or otherwise--unless convicted of a crime. Pre-trial confinement is acceptable, but only preceding a speedy trial.

Nor that the mantra of national security trumps the right of the citizens to know what the government perpetrates in our name.

Nor that black ops or any government activities should be secretly funded.

Nor that executive orders are legal when the intent is to bypass Congress's enumerated constitutional powers. Executive order cannot contravene constitutional intent.

Nor that the U.S. military or high command is honor-bound to fulfill criminal policies.

Nor that the 4th Amendment is alive or well.

Nor that the President is a law and power unto himself.

Nor that ultra liberals should masquerade as middle-of-the-roaders.

Nor that the current policies of our government express the will of the people, nor do they address the needs of the average American.

All citizens have the right to know what the government perpetrates in our name. Government by secrecy is neither liberal nor democratic. Secrecy is autocratic, and liberal is not a dirty word.

Happy voting day.