Now that Bush the Younger has settled into his second month in office,
what can we expect from this unusual assortment of retreads he has assembled
for the second Bush administration?
About the only things promised during last year's long campaign were a steep
cut in taxes for the wealthiest one percent and a bloated military. Some say
we're in for a replay of the Reagan presidency-you remember Ronny's drastic
tax cuts and outrageous defense spending while promising a balanced budget.
What we got was a quadrupling of the national debt.
Others say it will be more like the administration of Bush the Elder-keep a
blind eye on domestic problems while flaunting our military superiority
around the world.
In the campaign, both Bush the Younger and Gore tried to outdo one another
when it came to who was the toughest. It often seemed they were running for
general, not president. Now that Bush has been selected president, the
centerpiece on his table seems to be "Star Wars," a hugely expensive missile
defense shield that frightens our allies and causes arms dealers to salivate
in anticipation of huge profits.
George the Younger seems like a kind and gentle man but the three men he
will rely on most seem poised to use a modern day version of our old gunboat
diplomacy.
Colin Powell, Secretary of State, is a four-star general and a warrior by
training. He is the author of the "Powell Doctrine," which calls for
amassing overwhelming force before engaging the enemy. This worked in the
Arabian desert but what if we go after Russia or China? How many soldiers
would we need to make up an overwhelming force? Besides, doesn't this theory
violate the "Just War" principles we were taught in religion classes? When
does overwhelming force become a slaughter? When is it murder?
Our new Secretary of Defense is Donald Rumsfeld who is a previous holder of
the office. He has a reputation as a no nonsense warrior when it comes to
using American power. He once defied Henry Kissinger when he thought the
master himself was being too soft.
Then there is Dick Cheney who was selected to be vice president but more and
more seems to taking on the mantle of CEO of the Bush Administration pushing
The Younger into a figurehead role. Cheney is also a former Defense
Secretary who held office during the Gulf War when the Powell Doctrine was
on display.
Fighting or preparing to fight wars against imaginary enemies is an enormous
waste of taxpayer money. Our needs both locally and nationally are great and
are waiting to be addressed.
In Evansville we need a new jail and corrections center, refurbished Old
Courthouse, new voting machines, just about everything at the zoo. Across
the nation we need new schools, housing for the homeless, healthcare for the
uninsured, prescription drugs for the elderly, hi-speed rail lines, and to
pay down our debt.
My advice to George the Younger: Don't listen to the generals and military
guys. Spend our money here at home. We need it. Remember the advice of
General and former President Dwight Eisenhower, "Every dollar spent for
guns, planes, ships and bullets is a dollar robbed from hungry babies,
desperate mothers, and homeless fathers."
Forget the wealthy. Forget the generals. Be a president for all of us.
