Consider Security Issues

— Seriously

To the Editor:

President Bush and Vice President Cheney are making security the hallmark of the midterm elections, and I believe they are absolutely correct. It is time to put partisan politics aside and take an honest and empirical look at our security under this administration. Here is a glance at the past six years:

September 11, 2001. Osama bin Laden still free. Afghanistan and the return of the Taliban. Weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? No post-war planning in Iraq. Soldiers sent to war without sufficient armor for years. Veterans benefits continue to be cut. Valerie Plame. Federal funds diminish for first responders. Homeland security funds cut from New York City and Washington, D.C. United Arab Emirates/Dubai World Ports to secure our ports. Flu vaccination shortages. China and Saudi Arabia own record amounts of our growing national debt. EPA lied about air-safety during the 9/11 cleanup and rescue workers are sick and dying. Katrina.

Good times my friends, good times. If President Bush keeps us any more secure, we’ll all be dead.

The President and his administration make no apology, own no responsibility, offer no accountability and continue to claim they were absolutely correct about everything and would make the same decisions again. People who disagree with the President, whether they be cabinet members, generals, political adversaries, Democrats, Republicans, or ordinary citizens are slandered and brandished unpatriotic.

The President continues to frame the security debate as “stay the course” vs “cut and run” in Iraq, but surely all thinking adults must acknowledge that the reality is far more complicated and there is an abundance of other options to be considered and acted upon.

So by all means let’s make our security the election issue. We must live with this President and his administration for the time being, but we don’t have to accept this Congress that continues to abdicate its oversight responsibilities. We know the names of our representatives and we can find out how they voted. It’s time to hold them accountable whether they be Democrat, Republican, or Independent, and maybe, just maybe, we might enjoy a measure of security. Until then, sleep soundly knowing that Fredo Corleone is “the Decider” responsible for your security.

Martin Blanco

8 Pheasant Ridge Road, Newtown                   September 13, 2006