So Much Anger, Energy and Feelings of Helplessness

(CINCINNATI, Ohio) - We are in the middle of a war and nobody is really mad. I have yet to see a single Taliban member hanged in effigy and none of us even know who their leaders are. Most people in the world are sure Osama bin Laden has been dead for years.

Here at home, every effort has been made to get us all to join militias, or go out into the streets to beat up police and burn cars to support more money to banks and insurance companies. Getting knocked in the head because some insurance company exec had to fire the pool boy at his second vacation home is not my idea of a reason for social conflict, much less a trip to the emergency room.

Let's talk about the war for a bit, but not too much. It gets depressing and, if you look too closely, we look like total idiots. Nobody wants to look like a total idiot. 19 people attacked the US. None came from Afghanistan or Iraq. Some had visited Afghanistan. Alot of people visit Afghanistan. Alot of people visit the moon, or used to.

Why did we start a civil war in Afghanistan by changing the government in the city of Kabul and pulling millions of Pakistani's into war against us and their own government, a US ally? The answer is simple. We had leaders, not a single one who had ever spent a day in combat, who loved looking tough to their Christian evangelist followers. Call it what you will, Bush saw himself as a Pope calling for a crusade on Islam. Predictably, Bush is gone and Islam is growing at record levels.

We don't have to talk about the war. Israel does that for us. They warn us about nuclear weapons, day and night. Iran is building them, the Taliban is ready to steal them in Pakistan, it never stops. Owning our TV and newspapers helps. What are we being asked to do? Its simple, we have to invade Iran, something, if you look at a map, is about as easy as invading Antarctica and do something really stupid in Pakistan that will turn our 20 year war into a 50 year war.

Israel and India will be happy as all get out. It won't be their kids coming back in flag draped coffins. Maybe that's why we needed those ten new C-17 billion dollar transport planes.

Here at home we live under constant threat from, let me think? We have record unemployment, which is a nice way of saying that you can sit home all day and watch TV, if you still have a home, electricity and a TV. I spent yesterday with one of my friends, a local attorney. He is cashing out his 401k with our surge in the stock market, breaking the 10,000 benchmark. His retirement savings were down 80% and are now down only 67%. Taxpayers gave 2 trillion dollars to bail out similar losses for the richest few Americans. The rest of us with massive losses, not just stock market, but the value of our homes, farms, bonds, anything we owned, is almost nothing.

For people who had both assets and debts, most are now technically bankrupt. Years of work, years of savings, years of doing without and now we can still "do without." Where is your money? Easy, it was stolen by the people who warn you about socialism, flag burning and gun seizures.

Ever turn on the TV or pick up a paper to read about how the rich bought our government, had the rules changed and looted everyone's savings and retirement? No? Wonder why that is.

It gets better. Our country borrowed the money to pay back only the rich while the rest of us got "klunker" money and some get extended unemployment. Who pays the money back? We do, if we ever get jobs. "They" make and keep their money "offshore."

Every time I read a paper, usually on the internet so I can make the text so big I can still see it, or turn on the TV or radio, I am being warned about Socialism or Communism. Why is so much money being spent to warn a country full of people who are totally screwed that Socialists and Communists are plotting against them?

Since all the talk about Communism and Socialism comes from rich and powerful people, warning us that "class struggle" is evil and that seizing wealth from the rich is wrong, does this sound a little bit fishy?

When folks who have so much only because they stole it from the rest of us start telling us not to take it back because we would be "Socialists" shouldn't we, just maybe, think we are being had?

Any time someone tells me something, I always want to know why they are saying it. I look at who owns the paper, who controls the website, who is behind the lie. Someone is always behind the lie. The message is usually the same. Keep busy doing something useless or stupid while we take the money out of your wallet or send your kids to fight wars whose only purpose is to help us make more money.

150 plus years ago, Karl Marx, the guy who invented Communism warned us about the class struggle. He didn't invent it. Slavery had been around since even before biblical times. Slaves became serfs in the middle ages, then became "intentured servants" and, with the industrial revolution, "wage slaves."

Only in the 20th century did workers start to live like human beings. However, for the last few years, that has been going backwards, first slowly, now faster and faster. America flooded with illegal workers, slaves in a way, wages went down, jobs moved overseas, unions disappeared, benefits went away and we were all told we had to open small businesses and become capitalists.

So, we did that, bought stock, built businesses and what happened then? Our money disappeared in a massive collapse, carefully planned as we well know, not the first time, and small business is now starving as badly as the people who used to build cars, TVs, pots and pans, and everything now being brought in from overseas.

Was Marx right? Who cares? The only people who want to talk about Communism are the people stealing everything that is and isn't nailed down and calling anyone who wants them to stop "Communists and Socialists."

It makes me want to go out on the streets with a big sign: "Please, kick me, I am stupid".

Gordon Duff is a Marine combat veteran and a regular contributor to Veterans Today. He specializes in political and social issues. You can see a large collection of Gordon's published articles at this link: VeteransToday.com.

He is an outspoken advocate for veterans and his powerful words have brought about change. Gordon is a lifelong PTSD sufferer from his war experiences and he is empathetic to the plight of today's veterans also suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to feature Gordon's timely and critical reports on Salem-News.com, a news organization staffed by a number of veterans, particularly former U.S. Marines.

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Daniel October 21, 2009 4:10 pm (Pacific time)

Clinton added to the problem, Bush HW was the point man. HW was the first ambassador to China and cut very lucrative deals for the family, the pace increased under Bush 2. And did you just fall off the turnip truck and wake up to whats been going on for years! YES we should have trials for those who deceived us into these multi-billion wars costing thousands of lives and making the World less secure. Did you say anything when Reagan gave huge tax cuts to the RICH at the same time as the largest peace time buildup. Did we really needed to activate obsolete ww2 battle ships to intimidate the USSR? They did do a good job of scaring the poor in central America they also were useful in bombing the crap of civilians in Beirut, after Reagan exposed the Marines to attack in Lebanon without a mission. I find it interesting how many think history started with Obama.

Anonymous October 21, 2009 1:32 pm (Pacific time)

I agree with your statement Daniel: "Unfortunately its now become too late because of the economic clout China has today , but not in the 90s." Clinton dropped the ball big time as well as starting the subprime housing situation that got us here today. On several occasians the senate republicans after 2001 had bills to deal with Freddie and Fannie, but each time the democrats filibustered. Now the democrats are spending us into bankrupty. May the day come when sedition trials begin for these thugs, and may the penalty be one where they never have a chance to harm America again. The worm turns, and it will be glorious.

Editor: The Democrats are not perfect, but the bozos who drove this country into the ground are Bush and his supporters, let the facts stand for what they are.

Osotan; October 20, 2009 8:21 pm (Pacific time)

well anon.,we're waiting.

Daniel October 20, 2009 8:16 pm (Pacific time)

Rob when you have a multi billion trade deficit with China you do not have to invade it to get there attention , you have trade sanctions . Unfortunately its now become too late because of the economic clout China has today , but not in the 90s . You also do not sell out your countries economic base to a potential adversary . Yes its true they forced this super high tech spy plane down not shot . Rod there was plenty for the Chinese to learn of a technological nature from that plane . The plane had classified technology that was not public knowledge . Why China is successful is grossly underpaid labor undervalued currency and the use of children and political prisoners , combined with greedy industrialist willing to sell out there own economy for there personal benefit . Yes China does not have an EPA , but they do have the most polluted cities on the planet . Sorry Ron I do not believe we should go back to the days of Oliver Twist . Most of the high paying industrial jobs have gone to China . Ron if you did away with all regulation and all taxes the worker still can not compete with 20 cent per hour labor Chinese labor . Regarding Clinton its not all public record just your very partisan interpretation sprinkled with a bit of BS .

Daniel October 20, 2009 7:48 pm (Pacific time)

Ano also please tell me who these supposed authorities are that have been advising you on the missile shield . Are they knowledgeable scientist or high ranking military officers or just your imagination plus a little BS . This war has been going on 8 years , did you just wake up last week ? Also why do you keep changing your name and slither away when asked a question ?

Daniel October 20, 2009 7:31 pm (Pacific time)

Ano or who ever you are this week , the anti missile system used in Israel during Gulf 1 were very ineffective often causing more damage than good , and were deployed mostly as a show to keep the Israelis out of the action and uniting our Arabic allies against the war . The proposed land base system in eastern europe was opposed by the majority of the population in those countries and only supported by the leadership after a lot of pressure . This fixed land base system is being replaced by a more effective mobile naval based one . I may not totally understand all the aspects of the missile shield , and I have studied it from the 60s , but I know how to spell missile .

Anonymous October 20, 2009 5:56 pm (Pacific time)

Daniel there are anti-missle missle programs and were first used during the Gulf War. Glad you support our troops. I am also a veteran and maintain contact with many who are familiar with our missle shield program that is about to lose funding. I can't understand how you have missed this program, but then maybe you just don't understand the research process? It would be great if Obama had a strategy with regards to Afghanistan. When he ordered 21,000 troops there last spring he said this was a war we had to win (also said that during his campaign), now it appears he is doing something like he did over 100 times in the Illinois legislature, that is, voting "present."

Daniel October 20, 2009 2:54 pm (Pacific time)

Vet I have researched anti missiles , there is no operational system , never has been , and no shield shooting down numerous missiles Sam . I am a vet and support the military , thats why I opposed the wars to begin with . After SEVEN YEARS of Bush incompetence without a coherent war policy and tens of thousand killed and maimed Obama is formulating the first real policy . The president is cic not the generals as in the SEVEN YEAR DISASTER under Bush . Obama did not start both of these wars , and is working tirelessly to find a solution , if you have a plan please present it , Bush sure did not have one . Sam H are you now vet this week , trying to avoid answering a straight question ? Have you been asking these question about the wars for the last 8 years I have .

Veteran October 20, 2009 1:09 pm (Pacific time)

Daniel just research anti-missles missles and see what has been going on for many years now. Reported improving technology has been growing, but now the Obama Administration wants to shut it down? Yeah some real experts in that whitehouse. Even now the headline in some news agencies is that DoD Gates is telling him we can't wait for his delayed (not really, it's a voter calculus) decision on sending more troops to Afghanistan. My brothers and sisters in harms way need some leadership and we are not getting any. Love or dislike Obama, he has been a poor CIC leader. His inexperience is the only thing that's really transparent about him. If you support our military and our veterans you must see this. No more time for partisanship.

Rod October 20, 2009 9:04 am (Pacific time)

Regarding Clinton's spending policies or any other policies, he had none. He simply was compelled to sign the legislation that was prepared for him and that is why the deficit was reduced. That is all public record. When China captured our plane and forced it to land (not shot down, please try to be accurate), I imagine our leaders were weighing many options we simply are not aware of. I'm glad they got all our personnel back alive for it sounds as though some would have liked us to take military action against them and besides the immediate death of our people, things, like a full blown war, could have escalated quickly. For those who have a background in military intelligence protocol, the people on the plane had plenty of time to destroy anything that may have been damaging to national security. Much different than the USS Pueblo under LBJ's watch. As far as reverse engineering that aircraft, well it was the intelligence equipment and documents that mattered and they were destroyed, otherwise the plane was pretty much irrelevant and it's design and blueprint availability is PUBLIC RECORD. Why China has been able to secure so much of our free market is pretty simple to figure out, it is a combination of taxes and EPA regulations, etc. , that have made production costs unprofitable for us. Even much of our flu vacines are made out of country because of a variety of policies that hamper production profits. Is this the reason the H1N1 vacine has been so slow to get to the public? High taxes can have very serious repercussions. This drain of jobs will continue as our taxes and other regulations continue and most likely get worse. Whose fault is it? Well who is involved in increasing taxes and adding to other production costs? Not too difficult to figure that one out.

Daniel October 19, 2009 5:27 pm (Pacific time)

Sam the problems in Russia stem from a failing economic system that started with the fall of the USSR . Russia's problem is feeding its people not world domination , there is massive unemployment and hunger . Under the ussr the masses had a social net to fall back on , now nothing ! The old commies in russia are pointing out to the people the failure of the new russia and creating decent . What the Russian's do not need is another war monger American President to talk tough to macho Russian leaders who will respond out machismo in a self destructive way . Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall inherit the earth .

Daniel October 19, 2009 4:42 pm (Pacific time)

Sam What has been the policy towards China for over 20 years talk softly and look the other way ? When they crushed their freedom movement and imprisoned its leaders Bush 1 did NOTHING . When China shot down our plane Bush 2 gave it a little lip service for the US media and did nothing . The plane was shipped back in boxes , with CHINA reverse engineering every part . Forced Prison and child labor ,unsafe and unhealthy working conditions , no pollution control look the other way , but keep the wal mart filled . Sam I guess the loss of all the good paying USA jobs are not that important to you , but they are to those who lost them . Sam it is true we had out of control spending under Reagan , BUSH 1 and2 , and tempered under Clinton . Last year we had almost a 700 BILLION Dollar trade DEFICIT , the biggest chunk to CHINA . This may be small change to you Sam but to me its huge . China is more repressive than Russia internally and externally , but we can get cheap goods , that fall apart quickly , so its ok .

Daniel October 19, 2009 3:57 pm (Pacific time)

Sam please give details where the US missile shield has been constantly shooting down missiles ?

Sam H October 19, 2009 3:23 pm (Pacific time)

Something far more serious is brewing than what China is doing economically. Russia appears to be heading back to the Soviet Union mindset, and has really picked up steam this year. A number of people I associate with are former feds who specialized in foreign policy. What they say is when belligerants see weakness they take advantage, somewhat similar to what Rahm Emmanuel said about never letting a crisis go to waste, except this can have a far more serious conclusion. One must remember we literally broke up the Soviet Union by letting them know we would continue our defense spending to the point where they would not be able to keep up. They couldn't and the rest is history. Well our Sec. of State went to Moscow and they have ignored our request for Iranian sanctions (some say Russia's intention is to control all natural gas going into Europe and they need Iranian assistance), and have no doubt seen that we are going bankrupt with the government's out of control spending. So now they are building up their military. A recent poll shows that the number one concern of voters is jobs, number 2 is government spending. Health care is at 13%. Russia just announced a new missle system while our govt. announced canceling our missle shield system which has been consistently shooting down missles and who knows what other technical advances. They are running joint military manuevers with China. North Korea has sure been playing us. Walk softly but carry a big stick is a very good piece of advice. Our military is being scaled down during a time of war and our military morale is taking a bad turn. Yeah I don't like what is economically going on with China and they will have even more influence over us as our taxes and energy costs continue to rise. Need a new plan Stan.

Daniel October 19, 2009 12:08 pm (Pacific time)

I find it amusing that those who scream about the evils of communism look the other way as we sell out the country to CHINA ! China has been buying up our real estate , timber and other natural resources . We have been sending the good paying jobs to Communist china . In the last 10 years we sold out the textile industry , the shoe industry , the steel industry , the toy industry , etc , etc etc . Ah but we do have an increase of people working at low wage fast food jobs . The Chinese are big capitalist , but also a repressive totalitarian state , using child and prison labor . They also repress the minorities in their country with extreme measures and are huge polluters . Yes capitalism won , for the Chinese . Ano better brush up on speaking Chinese .

Anonymous October 18, 2009 3:58 pm (Pacific time)

Right on, Ersun ! And anon, you would like to live in a rich powerful capitalist society? A lot of us would, but unfortunately, we live in a bankrupt, militaristic fascist society...You say the caitalists won?? Maybe the Madoffs and the top 2%...but in their eyes, you are an useless eater like the rest of us..."get over it"..

Ersun Warncke October 18, 2009 12:44 pm (Pacific time)

"Practically speaking, the opponents to a reform in Massachusetts are not a hundred thousand politicians at the South, but a hundred thousand merchants and farmers here, who are more interested in commerce and agriculture than they are in humanity, and are not prepared to do justice to the slave and to Mexico, cost what it may. I quarrel not with far-off foes, but with those who, near at home, co-operate with, and do the bidding of those far away, and without whom the latter would be harmless. ... There are thousands who are in opinion opposed to slavery and to the war, who yet in effect do nothing to put an end to them; who, esteeming themselves children of Washington and Franklin, sit down with their hands in their pockets, and say that they know not what to do, and do nothing; who even postpone the question of freedom to the question of free-trade, and quietly read the prices-current along with the latest advices from Mexico, after dinner, and, it may be, fall asleep over them both. What is the price-current of an honest man and patriot to-day?" --Civil Disobedience - Thoreau Thoreau's arguments against government and against paying taxes are as relevant now as ever. How many people complain about government but still dutifully support it with a third of their income? How many people complain about banks, but still make their interest payments, knowing they are being cheated? If people won't stop taking the actions that actively support government, how can they even begin to think about taking actions that are actively opposed to government?

anon October 18, 2009 10:56 am (Pacific time)

I would rather live in a rich, powerful capitalist society than die as a wretch in a socialist gulag. Welcome to the post Cold War world. The capitalists won, but the socialist intellectuals are still around to pen tripe like this. You guys lost, get over it.

John Taurus October 18, 2009 9:35 am (Pacific time)

People do not want the truth, they want their indoctrination reinforced. We are not in Iraq or Afganistan for America, we are fighting these wars because Americans are Israeli slaves. Washington, DC is Israeli occupied territory. Everyone in the world knows this except for Americans. America is a colony of Israel. Google the James Trafficant interview with Greta if you dare to want truth and realism. Otherwise, stick your head back up into your buttocks. jtaurus30815@yahoo.com

Anonymous October 18, 2009 7:43 am (Pacific time)

Great article, and yes bin laden has been dead for years now. Whistleblower Sibel Edmonds (An FBI translator), said under oath in a federal court that the CIA had been working with bin laden right up to 9/11/2001. The CIA had gagged her testimony for quite awhile, but the pressure to learn the truth came out ahead finally. Her testimony revealed many other interesting details. You can find her entire testimony online. No coverage of the extremely important event on MSM. No coverage in regards to the Goldstone Report on MSM either. hmmmm.

sommers October 18, 2009 7:34 am (Pacific time)

I'm not rich, never have been, don't expect to be anytime soon. You underestimate the black hole of "socialism, communism". While "the rich" may take advantage of the "fear socialism" tactic, it is still a horrible system.

Vic October 18, 2009 7:26 am (Pacific time)

Nothing is as much a threat to a regime as a populace that has nothing left to lose. I believe in the past, that was more of an issue with the ruling class, but as we have shown ourselves to be apathetic, complacent, docile and harmless, we have lost even that bit of consideration. I hope that we have been underestimated.

Vic October 18, 2009 7:06 am (Pacific time)

Thank you, Gordon for another awesome and very thought-provoking article !

"Skipper" Osborne October 17, 2009 10:13 pm (Pacific time)

Gordon... Great article! this piece of your piece "Since all the talk about Communism and Socialism comes from rich and powerful people, warning us that "class struggle" is evil and that seizing wealth from the rich is wrong, does this sound a little bit fishy? When folks who have so much only because they stole it from the rest of us start telling us not to take it back because we would be "Socialists" shouldn't we, just maybe, think we are being had?" Just love it, loveit, loveit, loveit, lovit!

Daniel Johnson October 17, 2009 4:16 pm (Pacific time)

Gordon, you're not stupid. What you say makes so much sense that you're dangerous. I've been saying the same things for more than 30 years and SN is the first place I've ever found willing to print this kind of subversive stuff. We need to get out more.

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