Tired of Politics?

Democrat or a Republican, the people lose.  Peons always lose.  The rich, the powerful, and the well-connected prosper.

(Not all.  There are philanthropic wealthy folks out there, but that’s looking for the needle in a haystack; my reality, anyway.  If you know otherwise, I’m all ears.  I’d like to be more optimistic).

In theory, democracy, communism, capitalism, socialism, and what have you all promote happiness.  Ideologies promise social stability, economic security, and prosperity.  Theories and concepts — always successful — on paper.

In real life — not so.  Ego and greed get in the way.

Got money, want more money.  Got power, want more power.  Intimidate, manipulate — who cares?  Ends ALWAYS justify the means!

A dear friend once said, “I don’t care who wins the election.  I suck up the reality and work around the policies.  I protect me.  I’ve got to watch out for my interests.”

Smart lady.

Guess what?

She pulled out her stocks just days before the Wall Street melt down. (According to friends, gold is the safest investment.  Thoughts?)

“How did you know?” I asked.

“I didn’t, for sure.  ‘Just listened to my brain and my sixth sense.  I didn’t grasp the magnitude of the financial fiasco but my investor wasn’t making sense.  My portfolio was shrinking by the second and he’s telling me to hang in there?!  Who, at 63, has the luxury of time and money?!  Hell no!  Forget what anyone says.  People always look after their self-interests first.  Gotta use our brains and think.”

Cynical?  Yes.

Wise?  A double yes.

Twenty years from now, at 63, I’d like to be less cynical; hopefully, as wise.

Tired of politics?  Tired of being screwed?

Forget political parties.  Forget government.  Forget the wealthy. (Unless, you’re one of them.)

I have to think — gather facts, analyze, and synthesize.  Only I can protect me. 🙂

Iraq — To Stay or Not to Stay

(First posted on 8-9-08)

United States’ premature withdrawal from Iraq is an utmost disrespect to all who paid the ultimate price.

Lack of a strong central government will ensure Iraq’s descent into anarchy, creating a safe haven for Muslim extremists. Anarchy in Iraq is threat to world peace.

The United States, at minimum, should facilitate and negotiate a form of governance addressing the needs of both Shia and Sunni Muslim religious groups and other minorities comprising the war-torn nation.

The key word is “facilitate.”  U.S. cannot impose her democracy.  Dialog begins by respecting people whose values differ from our own.

Respect establishes tolerance and understanding — the first step toward reaching common goals.  Only then can all parties begin to heal, reconcile, and unify.

Japan, my country of origin, is a successful model of American democracy taking root and prospering in a country whose values differ vastly from the West’s.

Upon unconditional surrender in World War II, the Japanese maintained their 2,000 year old culture, values, and traditions while modifying American democracy and policies (constitutional monarchy/indirect democracy and capitalist economy), allowing the Japanese to reach social and economic prosperity previously known only to the West.

(Japan’s Gross National Product [GNP] is second in world’s economy.  Japanese Average Life Expectancy is 82-years-old.  Ninety-nine percent of the Japanese are literate.)

Iraqis, like the Japanese, are not Americans.  Pure American democracy will never take root in Iraq.

Iraqis must be empowered to become active participants in their nation’s decision-making process.

Japan is a success story.  Iraq can be next.