Twenty Questions
By Les Aaron and Mike Hersh, Oct 28, 2002
Why is it
1 We can start a WAR that is not needed
But we cannot take care of a malnourished child?
2. We can budget a $248 billion antimissile program that we know will never work
Yet not provide affordable drugs for single senior citizen?
3. We can support the biggest military budget in history and develop new weapons of destruction
But it is outside of our power to take care of the sick and disadvantaged?
4. We can hand our surplus to the top ten percent richest Americans in chunks that average over $51,000 each...
But we can't provide a decent education for many children in this country?
5. We can build intercontinental ballistic missiles at 100s of millions of dollars each
But we don't seem to know how to begin to provide protection against an enemy we armed with chemicals and bio-weapons?
6. We can tear down the forests with impunity
But we can't find ways to profit from alternative energy sources?
7. We can invade a pristine sanctuary for wildlife in the search for oil
But we can't ask the automotive industry to improve fuel economy?
8. We can maximize production of toxic chemicals
Yet we do not admit that we are responsible for 20% of all global warming?
9. We are rushing toward climatic catastrophe through our irresponsible policies
Yet we are totally unprepared for the consequences of reduced land mass and a global backlash?
10. We can send our advanced weaponry to distant lands to fight terrorists
But we can't seem to make our planes safe to fly?
11. We can impose our will on the rest of the world
But we can't make them like us?
12. We can proceed with a first strike capability that leaves the world a far more dangerous place
Yet we have not thought out the consequences of a foreign power using such a precedent against its neighbors or...us?
13. We can tell the world that America is the world's premier Democracy
Yet, we adopt policies that make us look like a third world dictatorship rather than a government of, for or by the people?
14. We can blow up every city in the world many times over.
But we cannot bring back one species, one animal, or one classification of creatures we are pushing into extinction?
15. We can do all of this with a compliant Congress and a silent population
But we cannot know the consequences of what we do or what the implications are for the future of mankind?
16. We tell ourselves every vote counts
But the only votes that counted in the 2000 presidential election were the five right wing votes on the US Supreme Court?
17. We swell with pride quoting the Declaration of Independence: "All People Are Created Equal"
But our laws and policies allow hate crimes, bigotry and bias to flourish?
18. We say we're a nation of laws
But why do we let unelected corporate criminals like Bush and Cheney insider trade and do special favors for their friends?
19. We listen while Bush and Cheney warn us we must squander the blood of our young and $billions to attack Iraq
But we don't demand Cheney step down for violating our laws when he did business with Saddam Hussein a few years ago?
20. We want better and know we can do better
but we don't demand better from ourselves and our officials?
Answer these 20 questions. Work for a better America and a better planet. Do it everyday, in ways small and great. Do it.
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