Sky-high stakes in Obama-Romney presidential debate on Wednesday
Get ready to watch candidates from both major parties agree on serious public policy issues-
The people who run both major parties & the conventions that nominate presidential candidates agree on the Drug War.
Ditto for the TV networks that host presidential debates & ask scripted questions of candidates.
Both major parties are OK with decades of ongoing, undeclared wars overseas.
Both major parties on marijuana policy
Question that will not be asked at the debates:
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal war on drugs, drug czar, prohibition of marijuana, etc.
Both major parties promote the idea that “The Troops” are fighting to protect American rights and freedoms- as if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
I am fascinated by this concept.
Rather than repeating the phrase “Thanks for your service“- how about spending some time reaching for an honest understanding of US foreign policy.
Today- most Americans can repeat the “Thanks for your service” slogan and move on without having to involve themselves or family members in decades of undeclared wars in distant lands. This is just the way politicians want it.
If there is any quiet sense of guilt among politicians or people who never did time in uniform about all that- it can be cleared up by thanking The Troops for protecting American rights and freedoms, supporting The Troops, giving them discounts, being cool with them wearing field uniforms in public, not questioning wars that aren’t won, etc.
Both major parties have had a turn at the wheel since 911. Both support a Homeland Security police state that can’t keep heroin and cocaine out of the US.
Both parties benefit from rules that keep third parties away from the debate stage. No distractions from candidates that are ready to question the system.
Photo- Old dock at Fort Flagler