ELECTION TIME!

The republican debate in South Carolina was well staged by the interviewers, the questions asked were substantive and we finally got down to the issues.

Overall I believe Donald Trump got put in his place for the first time since the debates began, and Ted Cruz showed me that he is a much more substantive debater for the first time. I was particularly impressed with Cruz, he’s extremely composed and able to maintain a certain equilibrium that speaks well for the future. That being said they are all improving with practice. There is a noticeably weak general knowledge on foreign affairs, by all parties. A President to be must be of more worldly caliber, if he or she is to rise to the post of ‘Commander in Chief.’

Ted Cruz, Presidential Candidate

The positives and negatives of living on a vast continent separated by two oceans from the rest of the world, is it creates a distinct culture and focus. A lot of the immigrants that came to this country brought with them hard earned experiences, and it is this human capital that has made America the great nation that it is today. The downside is that to some extent we are cut off from the rest of the world and its more cosmopolitan views of what will be needed for the coming years.

I like the idea of a flat tax, and a down sizing of the outrageous number of data that employs so many people in an unnecessary exercise. Simple is always best!

I will now point out what I believe to be subjects, in their order of importance that need to be seriously addressed in the coming months:

1.    IMMIGRATION 

The whole discussion on immigration has become a political football, which over the years no party other than an occasional attempt has really dealt with this controversial situation.

What Donald Trump is offering is going in the right direction. Build a wall. We live in the electronic age so with sensors and drones this doesn’t have to be the once costly task that has been given as a reason for passed excuses.

Now here comes the difficult part who goes and who stays? Obviously shipping out every illegal immigrant back to Mexico or where ever is preposterous? The costs, logistics and organization would be an overwhelming task. My thoughts are this:

a.    Do a background check on each person here illegally. Anyone who has been here for three years or more, has no criminal record should be allowed amnesty to apply for L1 status, which would eventually lead to an application for a green card. In this way the country benefits from any taxes that should be paid under the law. The rest must be shipped back to their country of origin. The law on birthright to becoming a US citizen must be changed immediately. No person, other than a US citizen, can give birth to a child in the USA and be given automatic rights to that status. Those that already have that status will be in a better position to make application for other members of the family. It’s a difficult choice and families will get split, but the price they all took in the first place, has its consequences.

b.    The giant mistake here is that passed administrations have dodged this issue to where it has become an overwhelming problem. It will cost the US, but it’s the only way to solve this immigration crisis once and for all.

Donald Trump, Presidential Candidate

2.    THE MIDDLE EAST  

This indeed is another sore spot with the American public and indeed around the world. Let’s take a look at passed history here, Viet Nam, Yugoslavia, Iraq 1991 and 2003, Afghanistan, and the present. I only

know of two times that the deployment of American troops with other nations have resulted in success. These wars have cost trillions of dollars, and the one thing the US must learn is when you take up the sword you stay, occupy, and only give back the country to its inhabitants, once law and order has been established.

Its one thing to attack a country and succeed, but where is the plan for the day after? Once a nation walks down that lonely path, in frank English, ‘Your ass is on the line’. You don’t just up and leave, creating a power vacuum and leaving a mess that generations after have to deal with for years. It’s all well and good charging off to war, exciting stuff! But has this really been thought through? The great Empires of the world always colonized a nation after its fall, respecting culture but acting as a referee in order to maintain stability and peace.

I am not for blasting ahead with another war over ISIS, strategically, with other nations, yes. This is a war that now belongs to the Arab nations in that region, we can only help, advise and assist. ‘The sins of the father have been well shed upon the youth!’ So let’s learn from our mistakes?

3.    GUN LAWS

I have well made my feelings known on this subject. Please read my passed blogs. We live in different times, the ‘Bill of Rights’, was created from English law. If you go back through the English History books, you will see that reform has always been a part of an evolving nation. This is not changing the constitution; it’s just dealing with the reality of the times we live in!

4.    LAW ENFORCEMENT    

This indeed is a sensitive subject. ‘The first is only as good as the last!’

In my personal opinion, I know the police force do all they can to respect the law, but where does, panic, good conscience and humanitarian principles, play their part. From what I’ve witnessed after a driver of a car, a person illegally selling on a side street, does not obey the command of the officer on duty, an almost robotic behavior seems to take place from the police. So this comes back to training. If we treat people without respect, then get ready to see the outcome. If these basic principles are not learned, then we are in for a future police state that will rule by force.

Is this what America is all about? The statistics in this country speak for themselves throughout the world.

So what’s the solution, you may well ask? The power lies in the police who are doing their job to enforce the law. That’s all well and good, but how that power is imposed is the key to either having what we have now, or better relations and respect between the police force and the civilian population. So what’s the answer? Experience, the imposing of the law is probably the most difficult process of all. Inexperience will bring fear, and when a civilian feels that fear, stupid things happen. For me to explain this in detail here would take up too much space. In short, the better trained an officer is in the art of dealing with complicated situations, will bring opportunities to break down the ‘fear aspect’, and lead to less ugly outcomes. There are a million questions here to answer, but you don’t shoot an unarmed man on the run! A real budget must be set forth to train younger inexperienced officers in this art of avoiding confrontation. In simple words defense and safety is the mind set here, not attack and destroy. When an entirely new method of implementing the law is taken, and attitude is a huge part of this, people will then respond differently. I can’t say it enough, understanding the psychology of the person you are confronted with is the beginning.

5.    TAX REFORM

I stand for a flat tax. The Tax code has become over complicated. Employs to many accountants to interpret, and too many IRS employees. The result, too much time is wasted, and the overall costs of collecting taxes becomes an expensive business. Simplification, and reduction of corporate income tax, will attract investments from abroad and the return of existing American companies. This will create jobs that will in turn bring payroll tax and the need for goods and services. These are the key elements, outside exports, for the financial success of any nation. As I have expressed in previous blogs a country must invest in technology and innovation. As a more developed country, the USA must focus on high technology and concentrate on innovative industries, in order to stay ahead of world competition.

6.    THE PRESIDENT

I know we live in a time when the public is fed up with gridlock in Congress, and we all desperately want change, but not change for changes sake! I know the nation is awe struck with Donald Trump, but seriously, the ideas are good, but this not the man to lead America. Ruling by theatrics and fear mongering won’t work in practice. So what qualities does it take to run this great nation?

a.    A good listener, but a person that is action orientated. A leader who chooses the best leaders in every field, not political cronies that tell you what you want to hear, ‘Remember weapons of mass destruction?’

b.    We are in a new age of unparalleled technology and innovation. This requires a new approach. A President that does not possess the minimum skills, better have a very good backup. Above all a team must be chosen that is not afraid to stand up for their beliefs.

c.    I believe America cannot keep believing in the, ‘we must do it all, fight the wars, police the planet. It’s time to build coalitions and focus on more important concerns facing us in this nation, for education and retraining, and infrastructure.

d.    Its imperative that the leader and the ‘White House, must reach across the isle!’ This over micro managed White House has separated itself from congress and that MUST BE CHANGED.

7.    ELECTORAL REFORM

We must return to the heart of what this nation was created for. A lot of Brits settled here after the ‘War of Independence’, who did not want to return to a monarchy. George Washington’s Grand parents are a product of that, their family home stills stands in England, next to the estate where Princess Diana is buried. Much has changed in England since that time. That being said this is an elected government, that constitutionally stands for the people and by the people. We are in serious danger of losing that authority. Super Pacts, supported by wealthy families and corporate empires must be stopped. The Lobbyists and the special interest groups must be harnessed. Some way a cap must be considered on the amount of funds given to a potential candidate. I’m all for the support that comes from the public at large through the Internet. This is democracy at work. Each elected candidate must remember his or her roots, and not forget the people from each state who elected them. The power of big money and party politics can sweep away the values and good principles that were once the reason a person got elected. In short we must get back to basics.

 

Hillary Clinton (L) and Bernie Sanders (R)- Presidential Candidates

CONCLUSION

I have enjoyed watching the debates and was greatly stimulated by the last two debates from the Republican and Democratic parties. We’re finally getting down to ‘brass tacks’. More to debate, but they are getting there. For my money Ted Cruz, appears to be an extremely astute, well-educated person, with the right experience behind him. He could go all the way. He’s not afraid to go with his beliefs, with a little more diplomacy he appears to be a man that is worldly enough to lead here and abroad. My only concern is that the Republican Party is too fractured. If they are to succeed and gain the electorate, they must stand for a more united party policy in order to have future success.

The Democrats really only have, Hillary Clinton. As much as I love Bernie’s, passion, ideas and thoughts, as an added tonic, his left wing views are too costly. I believe Hillary has the best chance with Bill. Bill Clinton’s public appeal and ability to express himself, gives the country the best option for the most experienced couple to lead our nation. It is important that a leader has good international experience and skills. The new age we are entering will be about building coalitions with other nations. Strong separate views about foreign policy can only bring about more expense and dependence on the US.   

   

   

        

MUSLIM CONUNDRUM

 

How does one navigate this vast number of people who have their originated belief in the Prophet Mohammed? Mainly divided into two sects with various smaller groups, who align themselves with either of the two main entities, of which 85% are Sunni and 15% Shia. These are people who have become the center of wrath within the world community, and appear to have no central control of unity among the majority. They don’t even show or voice an opinion about these contemptible actions and behavior, taken by their own people. Does this mean the Arab nations here and abroad agree with their own people’s atrocious and vile example to the rest of the world? Or is this fragmented enormous following of 1.45 billion, believe that by standing back, and doing nothing, it will all  go away just like a bad dream, while the rest of the world has to clean up this unforgivable and tragic mess, not only to non Muslims, but to their own Muslims?  A  significant amount of these religious followers, are not all militant. What remains a mystery to the rest of the world is why this non violent majority do not stand up, stand out, and let the rest of world know that they find what their people are doing, by causing pain, death, and conflict amongst the rest of humanity, is unforgivable?

In order to understand this peculiar set of circumstances, we must take a deeper look, at this faith and belief system, which has commanded such conflict between the East and West. Who and what are these people, who seem to have no consideration for the way the world perceives them to be? To be a Muslim today in the West, must be one of the worst feelings possible. To belong and be among the most untrusted race of people on the face of this Earth. So why? Is it because they have brought this reputation upon them, or do we have a responsibility in the outcome of such outrageous behavior?

To understand the present we must take an overview of the past. When Rome split at the demise of its corrupt and failed administration from within, around 400AD, it must be remembered that the Eastern part of the empire continued to flourish, with Constantinople as its new capital, later to become known as the Byzantine Empire. Rome did not come to an end in fact it integrated into the East, which evolved eventually into the Ottoman Empire in 1453, which then lasted until the first world war. This region of the world had its ups and downs, but the lasting effect of Roman culture upon this region and beyond, is probably one of the greatest historical contributions to the modern civilized world of any nation ever! In reality this part of the world was advancing with great wealth and 

prosperity, while Europe experienced what is known as the ‘Dark Ages’.

So what went wrong? Saddam Hussein promoted to his place of elevation by virtue of his Ba’athist party over Iraq, had great dreams of a united National Islamic power. With oil in abundance and the potential of a Sunni dominated Islamic Republic, his delusions of grandeur became overwhelming, and to have superiority over the West, for him, would be a dream come true. His only problem, being a Sunni himself, and ruling over a primarily majority Shiite population in Iraq, didn’t help him defeat another Shia majority during his eight year war with Iran. This persistent minority sect of the Muslim religion stood defiant against the Sunni majority of the rest of Islam.

Ayotallah Khomeini vs. Shah of Iran

Before the West had influence and a relationship with the Shah of Iran, and Iran was fast becoming westernized, it appeared that spelled the beginning of a magnificent western relationship with this region of the world. Then the hardliners of the Shia Muslim community stirred anger among the poorer communities, and incited rebellion, which brought about the end of any hope, once the Shah was exiled. Under the strict die hard Muslim cultured Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran disrupted its relationship with the West, and there began the erosion of western influence. This distinct defiance by this Islamic region of the world, against the rest of the world, started a new era.

After the demise of the Ottoman Empire, Islam felt a need to protect its origins and culture, and saw western culture and its influence as a direct threat to the very core of its existence. At the end of WW II, the creation of the new Israel state in 1948, after the atrocities Hitler had taken against the Jews in his concentration camps, resulted in an even bigger threat to the Muslim community. The outcome, a growing hatred for the West was now being manifested from within the Muslim community.  Even Russia displayed its distaste for the West by the cold war, after WW II. Seeing the growing prosperity of the Unites States.

 With two regions of the world quietly conspiring, in their own way wanted to stop the rise of ‘Western Imperialism’, seen to be the very source of world domination. The result, indoctrination of the East began, and propaganda was spread to diminish the very essence of what the West was all about. These nations began to slip away from a prosperity that could have been shared by all. After all, the East had the oil, and the West was willing to buy?

Now look at the mess. After the ‘Viet Nam war’ the USSR bankrupted itself in helping China and the Viet Cong overcome South Viet Nam, and what for? George Bush Jr. not taking the advice of his father, had to prove weapons of mass destruction, in order to have cause to displace Saddam Hussein. The continual strife that has been a constant irritant, is the presence of Israel. Seen as the West’s watchdog on Islam, and making sure its plans for actions against the West could be kept under control.  in all reality one can only blame the West, for its inability to explain its foreign policies towards the East. However the way events unfolded certainly did not help the West’s chances for peace, glimmers of hope have existed.

Eventually the American troops left Iraq as planned, with a total lack of understanding of what the Al-Maliki regime was creating. In addition the ousting of all Ba’athists’ initially, by the American ambassador with the authority of  President Bush and the validation of the pentagon, proved to be the first biggest mistake of all. They were all Sunni and a necessary component of the Iraqi government. All were let go with their weapons to make way for a new and better to be trained Shia army. By who? Yes the American forces…. Oh but they left?

Now President Al-Maliki was ready to work toward further collusion with Iran, to bring about a more powerful Shia representation against his own Sunni nationals, and increase its power base toward the West. Understand, Iran, Iraq and Syria are, geographically splitting Turkey from Saudi Arabia! Two Sunni Muslim countries now separated by this Shia power block. Maliki completely defied the United States having been advised by General David Petraeus, to rehire the more superior Sunni forces, who were better fighters than the Shia, back into his administration. Maliki being the staunched Shia that he was, and who had helped the U.S. conspire to topple Saddam Hussein, was in no way going to allow that, also knowing this would be unacceptable Iran, would allow this. Now the U.S. not only had enemies from the Shiites of this region, but even worse, enemies from Sunni Muslims who were disenfranchised by their own people? When the U.S. troops left, this brought about an enormous power vacuum. Maliki was free to do his backdoor deals with Iran and Syria, again being Shia, and now we have the newly formed Russia as well. This was probably one of the worst political blunders in modern day history! We then ask ourselves, why do we have Al Qaeda, ISIS and a host of other factions that are so absolutely furious at the way our country has ripped asunder, a part of the world that was already sensitive to the West?

So now what you may well ask? Is the picture becoming clearer? Obviously allowing a movement of angry Sunni Muslims under the banner of trying to create a newly formed Islamic State is preposterous. Recruiting western followers, who have hatred, and indoctrination against their own kind, is the result of having their own frustrations realized, and gives them a very dangerous reason to become an ignominious hero.

It means war, and one that must be carried out with the complete cooperation of the West. It must be decisive and swift, and executed immediately. What’s done is done, we can only look forward and show the rest of the world however you may feel about the past that we will defend our way of life and in spite of the absolute stupidity of previous administrations, this matter must be ‘put to bed, once and for all’. However no half measures, all out.

I believe the western world must develop a team of soldiers that are of the highest quality, trained to an elite level. Each nation would contribute in a manner according to its size, and influence within the world. Our way of life must be defended and protected in a manner that the whole world will see that wherever situations of this magnitude may arise, there is a team on alert, ready to go anywhere in the world. I personally believe the United Nations has tried to bring countries together, but now requires complete reorganization, what’s needed is the power of diplomacy with an iron fist, backed by the ability to impose its will where needed, to protect the values and way of life that we in the west all stand for. Of course we will always attempt peace before action, but sometimes there is a time for talk to cease and action to take place!

I hope my words don’t drop on deaf ears. Let’s take action now to make our world a better and safer place. As for the Arab nations, who disagree with Islam’s example, stand up and be counted, and join those people who have honored so many of you in the West!