This country has lost its way. Too many have interests in their own direction, their own agendas, and those of special interests. Those who hang separately to the detriment of their own country is appalling to me. When politicians are concerned more with the good will of other nations and of factions not even a country leaves us in danger. I don’t have to call any names - you know of whom I speak. The only defense we have against this is the voters, and we hope legal voters.

Since World War I, World War II, Korea, and the Cold War, this nation has helped obtain freedom for other oppressed nations who have achieved and cherished their freedom. Now many of these same nations have no interest in helping Iraqis achieve their freedom also. Many quote the fact that the Iraqi parliament has not met benchmarks. Our war of independence took eight years, and our benchmark of “all men are created equal” was not realized until the Civil War. As far as the benchmarks for our Congress, they are not being met, and they are operating in a peaceful environment other than an occasional code pink invasion.

Their benchmarks will not be met as long as they cater to the environmentalists, moveon.org, daily kos, and polls. One of their benchmarks is energy and a program to ensure adequate energy for this nation to continue its growth. Another of their benchmarks is to overhaul the social security system. There is no way that one or two people can pay taxes sufficient to carry retirement pay for several other citizens. Another benchmark they have is the security of American citizens and program set up to ensure same. Even if it takes away some of our civil rights, they should be more concerned about American rights to life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness.

Another of their benchmarks is the economic needs of the American people, which means not being taxed for all kinds of earmarks for each Congressman’s or Senator’s political campaign contribution buddy. In fact, if they were serious about their benchmarks, they would outlaw earmarks. They have many more benchmarks, but in this Congress so far, all they have done is investigate.

O.J. is back in the news and covered by the cable news channels day and night. If only some cable channel would cover earmarks night and day, spotlighting the politician, the amount, who gets it, if they donated campaign funds to the politician, if there was any need for this earmark to benefit in any way the American taxpayers. This to be done without any deference to either party. I think if this were done, there would be a drastic change in the members of Congress. This, of course, if the American voters would show the same interests as apparently they do in O.J. Then of course, it would also depend on the voters’ desire to participate in their duties as a citizen, and not as a political hack.

I want to see this country as it once was before Vietnam when we turned our backs on a people and allowed millions to die from genocide. It was people like Code Pink, moveon.org, and daily kos that allowed this to happen, and now they are leading the charge to discard the Iraqis for the SAME FATE. I don’t believe they have character enough to have a conscience. Since this country was formed, it has been guided by the voters, and on a good course except from Vietnam thru Iraq, when apparently we went against FDR and learned to fear fear itself. With hope for a return to a course of character and integrity by this country, I will close. May God bless the USA.