It's About Security, Stupid!

"The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved." ~ Confucius

The upcoming Presidential election on November fourth is not about whether one candidate is more experienced than the other. It isn’t about whether Obama is a Marxist, or Socialist, or whatever. It isn’t about whether McCain is too old, or whether Sarah Plain is unqualified.

It isn’t about their associations, friends, relatives, or past scandals.

This election is about security.

Not just the security needed to protect our physical selves against harm from outside terrorists and various domestic threats to our personal security, but about financial and economic security as well.

First, let’s discuss financial security.

People are worried about their financial security. My own personal business is suffering due to the impact of the collapse of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. People with 401k’s are losing money. Banks are closing. All kinds of businesses are going bankrupt all over the country.

Democratic and Republican candidates alike are appealing to their constituencies to use their votes to turn this crisis around.

Both candidates say they know how to “fix it.”

While I am not entirely convinced McCain knows how to fix this mess, I am positive Obama doesn't.

Obama’s plan to get us out of this mess in to increase taxes, spend trillions more on social programs, and distribute handouts to people who don’t pay taxes in the first place.

By the way, that’s called “Welfare”.

If one believes we are in a financial crisis, (and, for the record, I believe we are) Obama’s plan seems to defy logic. How do we relieve the burden on the taxpayers by taxing them more? How do we limit spending by spending more? How do we decrease Government spending by sending checks to over one third of the ninety-five per cent of the populace Obama has referenced?

Where does Mr. Obama intend to get all that extra money?

That leads me to my next point:

National security.

How does Mr. Obama intend to defend this country against threats to our security?

Obama is on record saying he will cut defense spending, and reduce our nuclear arms stockpile, and call on other world leaders to do the same.

Undoubtedly, this plan would work in Fantasy Land, but other world leaders are not necessarily as committed to world peace as the United States of America. In fact, some are committed to the destruction of the United States.

One would think a President would understand this concept.

Obama has said he will sit down with leaders of terrorist nations and other countries that don't like us without pre-conditions and talk to them. Maybe he will talk them out of attacking us anymore?

Maybe “That one” can do that, but “This one” can't.

Then, he has gone on record saying he will seek an end to the war in Iraq, and discussed a timeline in which we can “draw down” the number of troops currently fighting overseas.

I personally don't know that he has supported the repeal of the Patriot act, but, being the most liberal Senator in the Senate, I have no doubt that is his position.

How will withdrawing troops before the mission is completed and Iraq stabilized improve the security of the United States?

He also says he will cut defense spending. We are at war. How will cutting spending help us end the war without surrendering? How can we effectively fight and win that war, or any other, by limiting the amount of money spent on defense? How can we be expected to defend ourselves against enemies, both foreign and domestic, who are bent on our destruction?

If, as President, he works to successfully repeal the Patriot act, how are we to discover and prevent future terrorist’s attacks against our nation?

We know he has promised to finance myriad social programs to the tune of billions, even trillions of taxpayer funded dollars, and we know he has promised to cut spending on Defense. We know he is promising to cut taxes on 95% of all working class Americans, which would have to include a tax break for those who don't pay taxes, which is really a government hand-out program.

He wants to cut taxes and increase spending at the same time. One wonders what kind of magic wand he will need.

And we ask, "Where will he get the money to accomplish these tasks"?

Naturally, he will take the money away from our Defense department, and apply it to his tax breaks and social programs, and there would appear to be enough money to go around.

But that comes at the risk of compromising America’s security. Many of us can use a few extra dollars, but that is a temporary fix at best. What happens when that money runs out and America is left with less money with which to defend herself?

If Obama as President manages to do what he says he will do, America will be more insecure than at any time in our history.