An Article that may well Mirror the Soul of too many U.S. Citizens!

Our callous and greedy government achieves power but refuses to recognize callousness and greed inherent in ourselves.

(HARRISVILLE, N.H.) - An article titled “Slow domestic economy puts focus on cost of 2 wars“, written by HELENE COOPER and published by the New York Times today, June 22, 2011, notes that U.S. citizens and taxpayers are finally beginning to put pressure on the Obama administration and Congress, to bring the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to an end. The article emphasizes the point of how much is being spent on these wars at one of the lowest spots in our economic history.

While this article is accurate, it shows that the average U.S. citizen is far more moved by loss of U.S. wealth than by loss of U.S. lives or the lives of indigenous populations. I doubt if those who have lost sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters in these wars would agree with where the emphasis of this article is being placed.

The article states “In 2010, Congress — at the Obama administration’s request — set aside $100 million to support programs in Afghanistan aimed at moving former insurgents off the battlefields and into the country’s mainstream economy.” It then notes, “Most American aid bypasses the Afghan government and goes to international companies, a practice that, according to a June 8 report by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, can undercut the Afghan government and lead to redundant and unsustainable donor projects.” As this clearly identifies, war is profitable to many large international corporations. The contracts awarded by Congress and the current administration should be investigated and analyzed for correlation to re-election campaign pledges. The results of such investigation and analysis may provide a hint of why we have not yet brought our young men and women home.

The best hope we have to end these wars soon is the Presidential election to be held in November of 2012. President Obama and the political party that backs him must realize how detrimental it would be to his re-election chances if these wars were not moved toward a conclusion in a significant way before November of 2012. I feel ashamed that it was the power of greed rather than the pull of humanitarianism that finally brought pressure on the current administration and Congress to end these wars; however, I will take what I can get if it means that the lives of young U.S. citizens and innocent indigenous people are spared.

I have to wonder though, how many U.S. citizens even took notice of what is promoting this change in course for Congress and the current administration. How many feel shame that it is once again, the almighty dollar, rather than compassion for all involved, that brings pressure to bear on the powers that be. We wonder how a callous and greedy government could have achieved power but refuse to recognize callousness and greed inherent in ourselves. More than just a bit of soul searching may be called for here folks... but, that is just my opinion!

Writer Robert Collinsworth is an American who isn't hesitant to talk about the good side of his country, and that is a welcome thing in this day and age. Salem-News.com admittedly, is very critical of both American politics, as well as those of other nations that we perceive is being wrong in their motives and actions. At the same time, within these structures we criticize, are many outstanding people who make each day a better place for all those around them. They embody and personify the American spirit that is sometimes fleeting, but always present.

These are some of the things Robert takes into account when writing commentary that is designed reach people, to "get them thinking" in his words, and indeed it does. Salem-News.com's goal is for all people to be on the same page, we appreciate Bob's more conservative approach toward that same goal."

You can write to Bob Collingsworth at this email address: colli2@webryders.net