The Other War

Everybody knows we have troops in Iraq, and in Afghanistan. They wonder how much longer we will be engaged in those conflicts, how much longer before we can breathe a sigh of relief as our men and women return home? And the politicians – no matter which party – keeps promising that it will be as soon as they can manage it.

What very few people seem to realize is that America is involved in another third war, one that was started far earlier than either one of those. No politician will acknowledge it, it will never be studied in any history class, but it is happening.

Back in the middle of the 20^th century, the government made a big to-do about its 'War on Poverty'. Now it has done a complete turn about, and has declared war on the Middle Class.

You only have to be aware of recent doings of the government to become aware of this war. In a recent vote to pass a short-term budget to keep the federal government from shutting down, most of Congress voted to continue giving huge subsidies to oil companies while gutting and eliminating social programs that so many poorer Americans need. Yes, they are giving money to oil companies, the same oil companies that use any excuse to jack up their prices to get more money out of our individual pockets, the same oil companies that already count their yearly profits in the billions.

In other news, some governors want to disband and ban collective bargaining groups – unions. Supposedly, unions make unreasonable demands that are too big a drain on their states' finances. So, if that is allowed, it won't be long before we're back to dealing with our employers as individuals, rather than groups. And history tells us how well that worked before.

But that's okay, as far as our government cares. Those of us who are not millionaires are merely cannon fodder.