Doubtless_Mouse: Jay - In respond to the comments you made I offer this; we live in a democratic republic. We by definition do not live in a democracy (we are simply to big a nation). If I read your comments correctly, you state the public should have had some of the decision making authority on whether to go to war with Iraq or not, correct? In reality you did. In Nov 2000, the public spoke and elected the president of the United States. While there was some controversy over the counting of the votes, Bush won.
In our society, we elect people to make decisions for us. At the state level, you have the ability to vote on certain laws but at the federal level, you don't have that authority. We have had 200 plus years to develop our system of government. We have changed some of the wrongs in our society in that time, but don't think anyone ever really tried to affect the ability of the president to send troops to fight. The president cannot legally declare war on another country, only congress has this ability. Now I am not sure but I think, at the time, Congress fully supported the Bush decision to send troops to Iraq. You have a voice in the election process; likewise you have a voice in the electoral process. Contrary to popular belief, it is the electoral vote that wins the election not the popular vote. We as members of this society elect representatives to be our voice. These people in turn elected Bush to be the leader of this country. Please understand, I am not saying it was right or wrong, only that you did have a voice in this matter. My personal views on the war in Afghanistan and Iraq are exactly that - my personal views.
In Nov of this year, the people will speak again. We may not like the answer that is given (meaning as individuals we may not like who wins), but please keep in mind, that the people will elect the person they want to lead this country.
As to the comment you made about your generation being called to fight in these conflicts, our military is currently a volunteer military. At the time of enlistment, they took an oath to obey all orders. They knew/know the dangers associated with military life. One of the reasons my wife is happy I am longer in the military is that she does not accept the dangers I faced when on active duty - I did. The men and women of the United States Armed Forces are there for a reason, to protect and defend the constitution of our country. While they may not have thought a war would break out during the time they served, it has always been a possibility. It is a reality that they face as members of this group. They too have the right and obligation to vote, so their voice is likewise heard. Are there problems with this system we have? Yes, do they outweigh the benefits we get by being members of this society? No. We live a grand country. We have more freedom than almost any other country. Everyday my wife wonders how our country allows public figures (elected officials) to be made fun of on TV (Saturday Night Live really confuses her), because even though Japan is a free society, they do not have the same type of freedom we do. If you feel strongly about the fact that the public does not have a direct voice in the decisions to go to war, then try to change that. It will not be easy, but it is doable.
In closing, I am not "jumping" on you. I think you have some valid points, but wanted to make sure you understood that you do have a voice in this matter. Vote. Vote. Vote. If you want to be heard you must vote. I strongly believe in our system and think it can be made better only by being vocal.
Mouse
