The road to equality is not something that can be undertaken by all, but is something which the population must evolve into. Without a doubt, the concept that will be proposed throughout this narrative will be hard to digest for some, but others will find it so refreshing that adoption is quite likely.
The concept of equality is something imaginary in our current world as all men are subject to envies about others, usually based on religious or racially motivated factors. For most of our history, one race has always tried to issue dominance over another. In order to truly have a solid and lasting peace among men, we must all have an equal share of power in the world. To accomplish such a lofty goal, we have to put aside the fierce need to show up the next man. The resistance to such an idea will be the most difficult part to circumvent, but perhaps if enough people take it to heart, then perhaps it stands a small chance of changing the world as we know it.
Such a model has already been implemented in a company that for now will remain nameless due to the violent objections the community will likely have on how they conduct business. Chief among their rules is the concept that every man deserves an equal share of the big pie, meaning equal pay for equal work. This means that instead of having a huge workforce with a variable of work ethics, a system based upon the rule of equality must be enforced by sharing absolutely equal amounts of responsibility. Absolutely equal pay, divided based on number of employees, and with no accounts for senority, skills, or education means that each person must adapt themselves to the needs of the group in order for the whole to survive. Every person's responsibilities are suited to their strongest attributes, but they are asked, quite often, to do jobs that are not in their primary skill set, thus promoting enrichment of the individual through exposure to new ideas. For a man/woman to deserve entry into the company, is is not the decision of a single "manager" to make the hiring decisions, but the entire workforce.
Instead of letting a single man determine the eligibility of a prospective employee, all men and women give their voice; thus, all members interview a candidate so a complete profile of their personality can be generated prior to employment. This eliminates the need for drug testing and a background check. If the consensus is that the person can be trusted and shows a deep desire to work as hard as the rest, then all workers will accept a pay cut to bring him/her on board as an equal. As an equal member, the new employee also gains a voice that will be used to direct the company.
Without a board of executives or a single leader, no business could be considered to survive our current system; however, within this company, every man and woman has an equal voice in all major company decisions. If a decision would usually fall on those at the top, such as a merger or acquisition, the entire workforce must give their views on it. If all give the approval, then it goes forward; thus, if a single member objects, then it is the duty of all to help that person see the light, or vice versa.
If a single member of the staff begins neglecting their duties and the whole begins to falter as a result, then a vote must be taken among all. If 75% of the workforce believes that it would be best to terminate said employee, then they are terminated, but are granted a small monthly sum until further work has been secured.
While this all sounds wonderful, one must ask, "How does this change the world for the better?"
The answer is simple. By dividing up the payroll of a company equally, the majority must work that much harder in order to achieve a chance at having everything they desire. It is not acceptable to let only a small number of employees take the largest share of the pie; instead, it is better to allow all to bask in the glory of equality. With a much higher average pay throughout the ranks, there will be increased prosperity. Having the means to enjoy life, rather than succumbing to the same old social diseases of poverty and jealousy, will equate to more spending overall; which, after local businesses begin to profit from our model, their increased spending will translate into greater profits for the equal paying company. Thus, if the local business community begins to profit, their extra spending strengthens the bottom line of the company, meaning higher pay for all employees.
The quality of life is the greatest benefit of this model. With ample resources, the common man can seek higher education, better healthcare, and have a much stronger chance at survival than one in a comparable position at a competing company. While this possibly eliminates the chances of achieving a life comparable to those enjoying the excesses in the upper echelons of society, it does open up the idea that peace can only be achieved by believing in equality for all. Education about this will translate into greater understanding and appreciation for what this could mean for all men. If a number of companies adopted this model, then the profits would begin to increase in ways never before seen. This does not have to stand in defiance of capitalism, as it can coexist peacefully with it. Both entities are able to see success without one trying to issue dominance over the other. The only thing this stands against is nature, as the strong always dominate the weak; thus, the comment of evolution was made, for mankind must evolve into this new mindset.
Of course, there will always be an element of society that will call for the damnation of any who believe in such a structure, but in time, even those who vocalize the strongest opinion against may see the benefits of adopting the concept of equality.
Society and Equality
If we wanted a future without war or distrust, a common goal of seeing without references to anything other than a man's personality must be achieved. Meeting a new person should not be determined on whether the eyes are pleased by their outward appearance, but whether the mind can acclimate to their unique spin on the world. Sure, some will always stand against seeing one group as an equal, as dominance over the weak works in all circles, none more evident than in foreign relations. When my eyes are transfixed upon a new person, I appreciate every unique attribute that person has which contrasts with my own personal sense of style. Instead of issuing a negative emotion based upon this appearance, I use logic to establish where they hail from, what type of background they must be used to, and use this to greet them in a manner best fitting the situation.
Over this lifetime, I have encountered countless persons that one group would immediately halt all relations with based upon a first glance, and with my view, have learned a great deal from everyone. Without a doubt, the most can be learned from the person whom you contrast quite starkly against. Whereas you may have lived to believe in one set of values, theirs can sometimes be of a completely alien nature, thus instead of promoting negativity, the adoption of curiosity will result in appreciation from both sides. Conflict may be a natural part of life, but with an analytic mind that is set upon the absorption of information, one can put aside the natural need to dispel that which is different or misunderstood.
Dreaming for a future that is based on equality can be dangerous, but with faith in the ability of a man to understand the world of another, perhaps this view will result in a positive experience for everyone breathing the common air.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Is your boss five times the worker that you are?
1. I have had many supervisors that made as much as three times as much as I was taking in, yet most of their work consisted of sitting in the office going over paperwork. While they had their duties, I was running almost non-stop trying to keep the customers happy and the product flowing out the door. By days end, the supervisor, even if he had worked in the office the entire day, would have absolutely no sympathy for employees caught taking a breather while on the clock. In fact, I once witnessed an employee being terminated for sitting down for five minutes after a very busy hour-long rush of customers, this after the supervisor stepped outside for a cigarette.
2. Some supervisors are hired directly into their posts. Some with only college and no work experience. Thus, a person that has never endured the hardship of the lower rungs of the staircase, rides the elevator to the next level. In the past I have witnessed corporate officers fresh out of college fire hourly employees for the smallest of infractions. When one asks them about why it was done, an answer of "he wasn't living up to my expectations," is given. How can someone like this, who has no experience but wields such power, make so much more than those that have been breaking their backs to keep the company afloat?
3. Some supervisors justify their pay by saying that, "they deserve the pay for their expeience and education."
So, those are but three reasons why I cannot accept the status quo of the world. Never have I met a supervisor or corporate officer that was indeed worth what they brought home. I truly doubt I will ever meet anyone that is worth a multiple of another in any workplace. Thus, the notion of equality enters the mind.
At Zebulon Poe Photography and "The Liberal Signal," I have written a constitution which outlines how the company will grow and evolve. On the top of the list is the notion that all employees will be given equal respect, an equal voice, and absolutely equal pay. The five rules by which this company will live are:
1. All employees are equals in all areas. Pay- Payroll account will be divided equally among all employees. Voice- All employees are given an equal voice. Any major decision which affects the whole must be voted on by every employee. Respect- There is no ruling class or board of directors.
2. If one employee recieves a benefit, all employees recieve the same benefit.
3. No Background Check or Drug Test will be conducted on prospective employees. Instead, an applicant must be interviewed by all employees and if 75% of employees are impressed, the person will be hired. (To hire an individual, the whole must take a pay cut in order to supply the equal share to the applicant).
4. Absolutely no discrimination based on ANY variable will be accepted. If a person breathes the common air, they have a chance to be employed here.
5. The company will NEVER go public as ownership will always remain with those that work to keep it alive, which is every employee. Without shareholders, there is not a pressure to bring up profits by stomping on those at the bottom. Also, every employee is responsible for their own pay, for if they fail, the company fails, and if the company fails, we all fail together. Here there will never be a CEO that is able to live the good life while the bottom rung suffers the ills of poverty.
This is how my business model works:
By paying all employees equally means there is far more income per person. These people with their large paychecks (when compared to the usual company), flood the local economy by buying up goods and services. The well cared for employees will likely spread the word about either our company, or our products. More interest means more sales and more $ for the payroll account, which translates into higher pay.
Actual Company in Azle, Texas:
20 employees, 18 regular employees, 2 supervisors $1,000,000 payroll for year.
18 employees share $450,000 over the year, or avg $25,000 each... Both supervisors drive Mercedes and live in the best part of town...the both of them share $550,000 from payroll..
My company if same # of employees:
20 employees, 20 equal employees, 0 supervisors $1,000,000 payroll for year
20 employees share $1,000,000 over the year, or avg $50,000 each.. That's an extra $25,000 per year for regular joe's.
So...does anyone out there like the idea of absolute equality? This isn't to say it would work for everyone in every occupation, and I am not for a communist future, just an equal workplace that breeds goodwill instead of jealousy.
Friday, February 17, 2012
To all those that hear this Liberal Signal..
Tick Tock the Clock does go, for all those that hear this liberal signal, let the future hold that I will never go quiet in this most unsettling of times. I am one who has tasted the power of this government, as I have been struck down by it, whipped into submission, tortured by poverty, stripped of honor by the banner of the law, but still I gladly offer my sincere words, "I stand with everyone!"
Now that you know my stand, I must confess, I would love to see a countdown begin for a day of action or inaction. Take your pick, if you choose action, I would hope that you would select an activity that gives protest towards a common goal, albeit in a peaceful way; or, two, you choose to inactive, thus you contribute far more than those that travel down the first route. By being inactive, you halt all production within your company, thus forcing a shutdown of operations, which works to cripple the stock prices. The only way such a tactic could work is if this countdown begins a "black-cat" effect. Once the countdown reaches 0, a string of companies experience the effects of the movement. A day of normalcy passes, then another wave of shutdowns occur. Then, another day passes, followed by a day of uncertainty within all markets. This needs to draw people from every major entity in order to work correctly.
As great as all this sounds, there is a reason for doing it. This is to shock the corporate system into dividing their payroll accounts a little more evenly and focusing on the employees rather than the shareholders. If the shareholders pull out of a company, it dies. If the employees pull out of a company, the shareholders take the greatest hit, and still, the company dies. If the markets nationwide were hit all at once, with a trickle down effect around the world, then no investor, or shareholder would be safe. The employee, those that keep the gears turning through their backbreaking work for those standing above them, will become the most important aspect of the company oncemore, or in some instances, for the first time ever.
Again, this has been the liberal signal, and there will be much more to come!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
In Revenge of A Quarrel
In Revenge of A Quarrel
by Zebulon Poe Doyle
The War in Iraq is a military campaign that was launched in 2003 by the United States against the sovereign nation of Iraq. From the beginning onward, those for the war have continued to hold a strong belief that a regime-change was beneficial to all. Critics, including this writer, argue that the motivations for war were unjust, as most of the justifications used by the Bush administration were proven wrong over time. In addition to that, the extreme costs of the war, as well as what could have been done with the staggering amounts spent are reasons enough to keep a strong opinion against the war. This writer intends to provide the facts which seemingly brainwashed a large swath of America into thinking that indeed, the war was justified. By highlighting the motivations for war, the immense costs involved, and what could have been done instead, one will see that in the end, the arguments used by the pro-war crowds are actually quite weak.
Those in favor of the war hold the beliefs that the war was fought for a good reason, mostly in the perceived threats that were present at the time. When it was decided that we would invade Iraq, several broadcasts were made by President George W. Bush that highlighted the Iraqis support of terrorism, and their continued work on weapons of mass destruction. Also, with Al-Qaeda being a real threat at the time, any shred of intelligence that pointed to Iraq was used to gain the support of the public; which, because of the wound left on 9/11, was not hard to acquire. Public opinion held that Iraq was an enemy, and they wanted the immediate removal of the terrorist collaborator, Saddam Hussein, immediately. Those for the war will admit that the initial justifications have been proven wrong, but always hold that in the end, they were doing the right thing.
Those against the war are not all pacifists, but are those that are tired of prolonging a war which has few if any current justifications. By highlighting the many facts and judgments used by the Bush administration, the opposition has tried to open America’s eyes to the “truths” of the war; or in other words, the fabricated reports, the black-and-white imagery, and the confessions of terrorists with poor credibility. With examples such as the extreme costs incurred by the United States, as well as the immense losses suffered by Iraq, one can use either or both, to make an easy argument that the war, “simply wasn’t worth it.” The primary goal of many, including this writer, is to awaken the country to the fact that the War in Iraq is perhaps America’s greatest mistake; furthermore, the promotion of peace and goodwill is believed by this group to be the only way to rid the world of terrorism forever.
I. The Motivations for War
If a person or nation wishes to pursue a particular conquest, it is usually done for one of two reasons. Either there is a perceived threat, or something to be gained by engaging in what could be a costly confrontation. Throughout history, there are countless examples of one group finding a reason to wage war with another, usually for land or to please their gods. Today the threats aren’t as apparent as they once were, with small numbers of men and women deciding the fates of so many more. The War in Iraq is an ongoing campaign which was started by a perceived threat which was blown up to suit the vengeful needs of a middle aged Texan man.
- a. The Perceived Threat
In February of 2002, in the miniscule quarters given to detainees of America’s “War on Terror,” a man identified as a leading member of Al-Qaeda spoke of how Iraq had been “training Al Qaeda members to use biological and chemical weapons.” Those in charge of his interrogation quickly surmised that his confession was false, but that wasn’t enough to deter President Bush from using his testimony during a speech in Cincinnati eight months later. By using words such as “he has killed or injured 20,000, more than six times the number that died on September 11th,” “some citizens wonder, after 11 years of living with this problem, why do we need to confront it now? And there’s a reason. We’ve experienced the horror of September the 11th”, and “we have learned that Iraq has been providing Al-Qaeda with biological and chemical [weapons],” the President pours salt on an open wound, and uses those feelings to establish a distrust that otherwise didn’t exist after September 11, 2001. (Jehl, 2005, Online; Bush, 2002, Online)
Every speech given by either the president or his staff had tones and dialogue that were meant to incite the fears of the public. When he spoke, he usually directed his words on the many threats offered by Iraq. Most of these were based on biased reports from unreliable sources; yet anything that could be utilized to influence the populace was used. When there were claims that contradicted the president, members of his inner circle made comments which were not laced with facts, but emotional arguments, questioning people’s “loyalties.” Indeed, by playing on the fears of further terrorist attacks from afar, the president was able to use semi-ethical arguments to get a highly emotional response; then, with the support of a frightened America, the war was almost a certainty.
By the beginning of 2003, the names Saddam and Iraq were commonplace, usually laced with all manner of derogatory comments, usually focusing on how his removal was justified by September 11th. Even after the media had proved that the Al-Qaeda threats were fabricated, the administration found other avenues to keep the hatred alive. From the support of Palestinian terrorists to large stockpiles of chemical/biological weaponry, the public was bombarded by many issues which were viewed to “threaten America from afar.” The strongest point which was repeated hundreds of times was Iraq actively seeking Weapons of Mass Destruction, or WMD’s. Anytime a public address was made leading up to the war, the president was not afraid to use this term in excess, which had the effect of keeping the momentum needed to invade. It is doubtful that the war would have been initiated if several “truths” were given the coverage that a speech by Bush would have been given. (Shin Bet, 2003, Online)
The truth or the facts about a given subject have long been a resource that is in constant flux. From Iraq to the United States, those that usually acknowledge the “truth” are those that the message is meant to persuade in the first place. Those in power do what they must to keep the populace squarely attuned to their versions of it[truth], usually dismissing media reports that contradict it as, “biased, unsubstantiated reports.” Despite credible reports and eyewitness accounts, most people still believe the original message handed down from the government as the only “truth” there can be. The idea that the government could lie about the reasons to start a war seems to most people to be something seen in a Hollywood production, but this is no movie, this is reality.
- b. The “Truths”
When President Bush took the podium at a gathering of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in October of 2002, he laid down a series of issues that were meant to cultivate the support needed to launch the conquest of Iraq. Within these issues were several statements that were deemed to be unreliable, and some were made up to suit the occasion. Also, at a meeting of the UN, President Bush made the following claim, “The United States has no quarrel with Iraq,” which was true up to a certain point. At the time, most Americans were concerned with Afghanistan and Al-Qaeda, caring little about Iraq, but due to his ability to scare the public with the perception of “imminent” and “widespread” destruction being the results of inaction, a “quarrel” was quickly established. (“Address to United Nations General Assembly”, 2002, Online)
Another truth would be that the public view of the triggers, that being 9/11 and Al-Qaeda, were not needed according to the Bush administration. Beginning only weeks after taking office, the Bush White House began to make plans for a massive sell-off of Iraqi oil. This was to have a devastating effect on OPEC; however, the plan never went ahead due to objections. This indicates that Bush already had every intention of finding a way into Iraq during his presidency; luckily, however grim that might sound, he was given an excellent reason on September the 11th, 2001. Of course, the target was Afghanistan first, but as a variety of reports show, members of Bush’s cabinet were quite open about their views on Iraq. (Palast, 2005, Online)
In 1991, America led a campaign to rid Kuwait of Iraq’s hold on the tiny nation. When Iraq withdrew, America did not pursue the removal of Saddam as at that time it was not in the game plan; however, Bush Sr. did feel as though the job was left unfinished. Enter George W. Bush with an inbred desire to honor his father and finish the job he began. At his Texas ranch, the then president mentioned something, that if given the same light as his other speeches, the war might have never went forward, as it would have been seen as a personal matter. “He’s evil, he even tried to kill my father,” spoke Bush in the informal interview. The comment did make it into a report, but it was never given the spotlight, as it would have painted an unfavorable portrait of Bush as a man just seeking revenge upon someone who seemingly dishonored his father.
(Moran, 2002, Online)
A benefit, according to a variety of sources, means something that promotes well being, or an entitlement given to those that work for it. When defining the benefits of war, there are many avenues to take; however, the best, modern description of this boon is the access to territory and resources that are made available to the victor. Unfortunately, the majority of those that see a real benefit from war are those that supply the materials needed to wage it. With the Iraq war, many, including this writer, have asked the very simple question, “What are we getting in return for the burden this war has placed upon us?” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2011, Online)
- c. The Benefits
One hundred forty billion barrels of Iraqi oil, or at today’s consumption level, the United States could run on Iraq’s oil alone for the next eighteen years; however, despite our major contribution to Operation Iraqi Freedom, the oil benefits will mainly be seen by China. With an economy that grew by 8.7 percent in 2009, and another 11.9 percent in 2010, their demand for crude has established them as OPEC’s (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) number one customer. Now, with five contracts for Iraqi oil and a massive infrastructure investment, the fuel to keep China’s economy blossoming past ours is assured. (Salaheddin, 2010, Online; “Iraqi Oil Reserves..”, 2010, Online)
America, as most of the world could foresee, was originally expected to reap the greatest benefits from the war; unfortunately, the actions of three US senators began to meddle with the process, delaying it. This spelled doom for large US acquisitions of oil as the Iraqi government needed income; therefore, they went ahead and sold the largest contracts to China and Russia. The senators seemed to be working in the best interests of America from a security standpoint, for they believed it would possibly reduce anti-American sentiments around the world. It is very likely that many oil executives were disappointed with this outcome, as more than a few stood to rake in huge profits; fortunately, this may have the benefit of improving our image abroad. On the home front, the people view that because of our expenditures, we are somehow seeing the greatest benefit, which would be a logical assumption, but wrong nonetheless. (Smith, 2008, Online)
Some say the greatest benefit was ridding the world of Saddam Hussein, often quoting others in their declarations of him being our worst enemy, or that he meant us great harm. For years, people had concluded that the Iraqi leader was hiding information about a secret alliance with Al-Qaeda. At his trial, Saddam used this final chance to reveal a number of secrets the west had sought to know for years. The question of an Al-Qaeda connection finally had its answer as he spoke of how the terrorist group had several beliefs that were in direct conflict with his own, meaning an alliance was impossible. Then, he highlighted that his defiance of the UN was a ploy to appear strong to his neighbor Iran, a country which Iraq had shared a long history of violence with. Near the end of his testimony, Saddam was asked why he deemed the United States as an enemy, and his reply shocked this researcher. He stated, “We[Iraq] did not consider the United States to be an enemy, we were simply opposed to their policies.” Some argue that he was trying to gain favoritism, but that is not convincing enough, as the man knew he was going to die regardless of the tone of his words. So it stands to reason that he spoke the truth. In summary, one must conclude that the benefits of the war were not worth the extreme costs; which, after learning the truths of the matter, tied to the fabricated threats, do not seem worth it. (Kessler, 2009, Online)
II. The Costs of War
A grievous or ruinous price paid with life and health is a simple definition for a highly charged subject that suffers from a range of very strong emotions from depression to rage. When we arrived in Iraq, we were guided by excitement and vengeance; then, these were eventually replaced by insanity and depression. According to the sources available, defining the cost of war could be simple, or it could be quite complex, depending on the angle from which it is viewed. The tolls paid by America in this now insanely depressing war have been in lives, our shared image abroad, and, of course, the immense amount of money spent to fight it.
- a. The Toll Paid by the United States
When this sentence was written, the cost in American lives lost in Iraq stood at four thousand, seven hundred forty-two. So, put another way, it has cost us one thousand, seven hundred forty-six more lives to secure Iraq than was lost in unrelated attacks one September morning. This is a staggering cost for stopping a threat to our very good friends in Iran and Israel. In a rather puzzling speech that President Bush delivered just prior to leaving office he said, “Mission Accomplished.” It stands to reason that Bush was speaking about his vengeance, as he had defeated the man that his father could not; however, if he was referring to the war in general, the fabricated mission had certainly not been accomplished, and to this day, three years later, it still hasn’t ended. (“Operation Iraqi Freedom Casualties”, 2011, Online; Bush, 2003, Online)
In addition to the casualties of war, the United States paid a rather heavy toll in the opinions of people around the world. In interviews with people from Australia, Scotland, Italy, and the United Kingdom, this researcher found that 75% of respondents had a favorable view of the United States after 9/11; however, nearly 90% voiced stern opposition to the American response. A man from Sydney stated, “You always hear about the rich Americans and their grubby hands, right, well at the end of the day, right, most people are sick of America thinking it can do whatever it wants.” The overall impression given by the interviews is that foreigners were saddened and even supportive after the terrorist attacks suffered by America; therefore, most felt that Afghanistan was justifiable, but Iraq was a completely unprovoked war. Our image once had the luster and appeal of gold; but because of our invasion of Iraq, we are as appealing as rusted iron. (Caksta, 2011, Online)
The one cost that can actually be quantified is the total financial toll of just the war in Iraq. According to two experienced economists, one being a Harvard professor, and the other having won a Nobel Prize in his field, the final tally on the war, with all expenses, will exceed $3 trillion. To put this number into perspective, if you started spending $3 million each day since the birth of Jesus, in 2011 you would still need another 728 years to spend every last cent. This amount includes those items usually associated with war like hardware, ammunition, and the payroll of all those participating in operations; unfortunately, no one will know the final cost to life and health once the dust finally settles. So overall, if an image is worth a thousand words, then we have lost trillions of them; also, if a life is indeed priceless, then our loss is infinite; but, if one puts a price on freedom for all of those in Iraq, the final total hardly seems worth it. (Kielburger, 2008, Online; Roberts, 2008, Online)
A tragedy is sometimes thought to be an invention of the theatre, as it deals with human drama, but the situation has existed for all of recordable history. The definition which applies to the current topic is a serious drama highlighting a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force which usually has a disastrous conclusion that elicits pity. To some of those that live in Iraq, liberation came before the calamity, and now they live in a constant state of fear of what the next day could bring. In the grand drama that is the war in Iraq, the tragedy is that few have taken the steps to understand the losses the Iraqi people have suffered. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2011, Online)
- b. The Iraqi Tragedy
Because of the “truths” laid out by the Bush administration, the military was given a much colder indoctrination on what to expect; thus, their perceptions were that Iraqis were a dangerous, devious enemy that meant us great harm; after eight years, the Iraqi casualties reflect this. According to almost every source, an official comprehensive report on the losses to life suffered by the Iraqi people is not available. To receive a semi-accurate count of violent deaths due to the US-led invasion, the WHO (World Health Organization) conducted a survey and found that the numbers are between 151,000-223,000 Iraqis killed; the startling fact here is that the study was concluded five years ago in 2006. According to the large numbers of sources gathered, the count could truthfully be anywhere from 104,000 all the way up to a possible 793,663, which is a staggering number given by Iraqi health officials. Again, this information was based on reports that are nearly five years old, as there have been no recent attempts to get an exact head count. The now famous line from General Tommy Franks resounds in these facts, “We don’t do head counts.” (“Iraqi Body Count”, 2011, Online; World Health Organization, 2008, Online)
Once, before many sanctions were placed on their country by the UN, Iraq led the Middle East in the development of infrastructure, social services, and healthcare. Then, over the years, the sanctions took their toll; however, things were going far better before the US led invasion further crippled their faltering infrastructure. Before the war, power disruptions were rare, but now there are places that lose power for weeks; also, there are many parts of Baghdad, a giant metropolis with 7 million residents, which see less than four hours of power per day. In addition to this fact is the grim reality that few people in Iraq see access to potable water, which has further led to losses of life due to disease. In a place known for its very harsh climate, the directives now should be focused on increasing the quality of life for the Iraqis, as their suffering has been seemingly unending since the Iran-Iraq war. (Beehner, 2008, Online)
If loosing family members to war, disease, polluted water, and overheating weren’t enough, the Iraqi people face another challenge, trying to find peace in a land ravaged by jihadists. When the war began, there was violence in Iraq’s cities and killings like in any other city in the world; however, after eight years of “peacekeeping,” the streets are anything but peaceful. From bands of foreign insurgents, to Islamic groups hell-bent on establishing themselves as the dominant political party, the chaos seems to be everlasting. The very police in Iraq lead very dangerous lives. To wear the uniform itself is a risk, so many simply don’t wear them, which promotes even more violence through mistaken identity. The future is uncertain, as the internal squabbles within Iraq are likely to take years, if not decades to finally soothe out. Once Iraq begins to profit from their massive oil reserves, some of their problems will begin to work themselves out, but as stated before, some wounds will take a very long time to heal. To those that have suffered at the hands of one tyrant, only to go through hell again after the US invasion, the question arises on both sides, “Was this war really worth it?” (Fuller, 2006, Online)
The worth of a subject, whether it is a car or an action, is usually determined by those with the authority to gauge such things. When it comes to something like a war, one cannot determine the value of it without conducting a survey to gauge the feelings of the public at large; which is something this writer tried to search for, but found that only a handful of people have asked this question. Instead of determining whether the war was worth it by basing it upon what could have been biased reports, this author determined that the best course of action was to create four questions centered on the strongest points within this paper, and then to poll people at random. No person was excluded from participating in this poll, as its purpose was to gather the current feelings of the public, whether that person be a homeless man, or a wealthy mother.
- c. Was the War Worth It?
Due to formatting options, the figure is at the top of the paper.
Figure 1- This is based upon the answers of 162 participants of the survey.
As the chart displays, when most were asked if the war was justified, the usual response was, “NO!” Most who responded went on to say that they never felt that it was worth it, as the reasons for going to war kept changing. Some were quite vocal in their distrust of the government, and others made comments centered on Bush’s involvement in the war, often believing that he was getting kickbacks from oil deals. One person polled even went so far to say that Bush should be hanged for destroying the image of the American people. Those that felt as if the war was indeed justified, rarely confirmed that the losses were worth it, and only a handful actually considered all the costs to be worth it.
Of all the many responses given, the only people that seemed to be for the war were those with a past in the military, or those with family members currently on active duty; however, some older veterans of the WWII and Vietnam eras felt as if we had not learned from our mistakes. Of all the questions asked, the largest percentage of those that answered “No” were centered around the $3 trillion final cost of the war, often believing we would not be dealing with a recession had we never invaded Iraq. A few felt as if the questions were biased, stating that they would feel bad about answering “yes”, which clearly spelled out an embarrassment when thinking about the war. Now that we have seen the motivations and losses suffered through this unjustified war, we will now look at what could have been done instead; furthermore, we will see that, by spreading some of the vast American wealth, the original mission of destroying terrorism could have been accomplished.
III. The Road Not Taken
For this section, we take a lighter, but still evidence-based approach to the topic at large; however, the subject matter presented here is an alternative to events that cannot be undone, as none of this has or probably will ever happen. We will explore the possible avenues this country could have taken, if certain variables were to meet along the same lines and produce real results. This does take the war in Iraq into consideration, and shows the possible outcomes with the fortunes spent on this unprovoked, greed induced, and rather costly engagement. Here we will explore how the United States, if given a new demeanor, could have ended extreme poverty worldwide, ensured all poorer countries had the resources to combat AIDS, and even achieve one hundred percent literacy worldwide.
- a. What could have ended
With the amounts spent on the war in Iraq, some truly remarkable progress could have been made in a variety of fields. For one, with just $195 billion, a total far less than the estimated $3 trillion final projected cost for the war, the United States could have eliminated hunger worldwide. By buying bulk grains and investing in water purification projects, all those that desire to eat, with clean water to drink, could do so. The millions of children that die each year from malnutrition would be fed. Instead of spending extreme amounts on maintaining a small country so far away, we could spread that wealth, and in doing so, begin to change the almost worldwide view that America is a greedy glutton that cares for no one else. (Kielburger, 2008, Online)
Each year, millions of people in the poorest African nations face not only the stark reality of hunger, but also the reality of the AIDS epidemic. In some countries, the life expectancy due to these afflictions has dropped to less than 40 years, the very same level that America had during the 1800’s. For as little as $15 billion per year, every man, woman, and child at risk could receive immunizations against deadly diseases, as well as basic medical care; in addition, those suffering from AIDS could receive the desperately needed treatments to give them at least a fighting chance. As the “world’s richest country,” the United States should already be funding such efforts; as the millions saved will view us in a new light that will only spread with time. (Kielburger, 2008, Online; Hughs, 2009, Online)
The ability to read, write, and understand is the right of every citizen of the earth. It is no secret that the uneducated are easily manipulated; thus, we should spend the estimated $5 billion per year to promote literacy worldwide. The benefits of this investment would be improved understanding throughout the world, a benefit when trying to explain concepts and ideas. With 100% literacy, those masses that would otherwise be drawn to mindless violence could take another, brighter path. Even if that path is in another country, with a different way of life, the end result is the same. With the power of the written word, and knowledge at their side, their gratitude, while slow to
materialize, would shape the future image of the United States. With such kindness and generosity, the image never achieved, portraying America as a beacon to aspire to for all races, would be established. (Kielburger, 2008, Online)
When one thinks of ways to save the world, how often do those dreams start with gigantic acts of kindness, followed by giant investments in themselves? The answer is never, as the current trend is dominated by acts of violence, followed by futile, misdirected investments, usually said to benefit us all. Few real steps have been taken towards a brighter future, as history has shown; we would rather make war, than to solve real issues that plague our country. Our reliance on polluting, and possibly highly hazardous energy sources, could have been eliminated with a portion of that spent on the Iraq War. In this section, we explore the possible future that could have existed for all of us currently living in the United States; for instance, a possible future without nuclear power. One where every American could simply plug in their car each night and never have to live in squalor is going to be presented, courtesy of the staggering amounts spent on the war in Iraq.
- b. A Clean America with a Backbone of Steel
Current events have taught us that even the most advanced countries can have great difficulty in managing nuclear mishaps; so, if we are to be spared a possibly radioactive future, we must begin investing in alternatives in power generation. If the United States were to spend a fifth of what the Iraq War has cost, then nearly 9,000 wind farms could be constructed; therefore, with a power generation equal to 25% of our overall needs, which is 6% more than what is generated by all of the nation’s nuclear power plants, we would never have to worry about possible meltdowns threatening our future. Also, if more were invested, the United States could cut its dependence on coal as the primary fuel driving the nation; furthermore, the construction of so many units will require a substantial, highly trained workforce that would have the task of construction, and then the continued maintenance of the system. This investment, or rather, this vision of a possible future, is wholly dependent on our ability to make these types of grand decisions. (Roberts, 2008, Online)
When living in a country with no dangerous power sources, with governments making bold choices signaling a new approach to the big challenges, our dependence on antiquated technologies such as the combustion engine will face its demise at the hands of the electric car. For years, different futures have been imagined, from one driven by hydrogen fuel cells, to huge amounts of compressed air; however, the only one that is currently practical, albeit limited for long range excursions, is the battery driven electric vehicle. Current models are quite expensive, but with a fraction of what was spent on Iraq, billions could be spent on manufacturing cheaper, longer lasting batteries that could power the vehicle of tomorrow. The government, in their narrow sighted vision, has delayed the introduction of an electrically driven future, which is, as expected, the work of lobbyists working on behalf of the oil companies; for instance, a recent law signed into effect by President Obama bans ultra quiet electric vehicles, labeling them as dangerously quiet; meaning, the already high cost is increased to account for the installation of “noise generators.” If we are to have this electric future, the government needs to focus on what is right, not what benefits the bottom line of others. (Halverson, 2011, Online)
With a wind powered economy, driven by the electricity generated, a new direction for a compassionate America will unfold. Unfortunately, there are those within our own country that lack the basic necessities, live in questionable accommodations, and provide a drain on the rest of country due to a variety of variables. This level, labeled as poverty, includes the dropouts, the drug users, and the former criminals; however, there are many living at or below the poverty level who are well educated, but a victim of the global recession. If the U.S. took what is just a fraction of the Iraq War’s cost to America, and fueled a massive infrastructure endeavor combined with the implementation of green technologies, then thousands of jobs could be created. Then, instead of focusing on the controversial use of background checks to ascertain whether a person is suited for employment, a series of tests could be conducted to determine if a person can be given the chance to redeem themselves with work. This would help a large portion of the population find employment, as factors that limit the employment of a person only hurts the combined whole. With a new job with a caring government, this redeemed soul will go forth to establish a new life, and because of this, the entire country will strengthen, for one less hopeless soul is one less problem to deal with. (Mansfield, 2008, Online)
In the previous sections, we have seen what could have been done with the massive amounts spent on the war in Iraq; now, we will determine if spreading the wealth and investing in ourselves would actually pay off. Here, we will see how conquering poverty, cutting our dependences on foreign energy sources, and promoting education could impact the world. This is purely speculative as attempts have been made to spread wealth, by wealthy donors and charity organizations, but none of those have spent even 1/20th what has been dumped on the Iraq war alone. This section is going to take the amount of $1.5 trillion, which is half of the estimated $3 trillion final cost of the war, and explore what could be done only with that amount, and how it could affect the rest of the world.
- c. The 1.5 Trillion Dollar Shopping Spree
- Eliminate extreme poverty $195 billion
- Universal literacy $5 billion
- Immunize every child on earth $2 billion
- Fight AIDS aggressively $15 billion
- Eliminate nuclear power in US $600 billion
- Electric car rebate program $200 billion ($10K incentive for purchase)
- 0% Homelessness $50 billion
- Establish permanent moon base $250 billion
(Kielburger, 2008, Online; Roberts, 2008, Online; Klamper, 2010, Online)
What this list makes light of is the fact that with just $1.32 trillion, which is less than half the total cost of the Iraq war, we could truly change the world. By reaching out to those in need, instead of ignoring them, we will slowly destroy the reasons people fall into terrorism. It has been said that poverty induces certain groups to seek out anyone that is offering relief from deprivation; thus, with such investments, the number of terrorists that arise from the poorest nations would quickly decline. With their basic necessities met, those that would otherwise fall into a life of violence because of a destitute existence, would begin to follow brighter paths. Having the basic necessities alone will not conquer all of the hatred which turns people towards radical ideals; to accomplish this, they must learn about alternatives to a violent life. (Wessels 70-72)
With the elimination of poverty, the promotion of literacy worldwide will have an impact on people’s perceptions, as an illiterate person is easily persuaded into lifestyles that an educated person would steer clear of, as better opportunities await them. Such a phenomenon is seen here in the United States, when underprivileged youth are given access to higher education through the Pell Grant program. With the option of pursuing an education, many would-be gang members find themselves walking a much different path than some of their peers; the same would work for at-risk youth in other countries where an alternative is joining a terrorist organization. By first dealing with the basic necessities to ensure a healthy existence, and then developing their minds to see the many possibilities life has to offer, a soul that would have turned to terrorism will see the world in a much brighter light; however, their negative views of America will not begin to fade until we cut our dependencies on their resources. (Wessels 70-72)
Earlier, the electric car was looked at, but if we wanted to truly kill the image of American greed then we must depend upon no one else for what is needed to survive; thus, this type of vehicle could hold the keys to this future. To see these grand visions for the future, one must look through a glass made of a few hundred billion (or more) dollar bills; which makes almost anything one looks at seem possible in time; then, one will see that curing cancer, building moon bases, saving social security, and decreasing the need for foreign oil is very possible. Bold moves by powerful leaders are needed to ensure this new future, where we inhabit a country with a new vision for prosperity, of peace; unfortunately, we must all awaken from this dream of what could be, for what is.
IV. The Road Ahead
Now, we must again face reality, that ugly visage that instantly reminds us of our poor choices and the resulting world that is our home. An America without a constant desire to rid the world of tyranny through the use of violence is an almost alien concept to some, as we have demonstrated this element time and again. To evolve as a society will require us to completely change our approach to most situations. The “shoot first and ask questions later” motto must change to one in which we question everything; which, if you pry deep enough, will reveal the broken gears that if remedied, could lead to a peaceful outcome.
From this point onward, our best course of action would be to learn from this mistake, which is described by this writer as “America’s greatest blunder.” To continue on the road we are currently traveling along will only serve to fuel the hatred for the next generation of terrorists. However, if we make small steps towards peaceful resolutions, each new day will continually grow brighter for ourselves and the rest of the world. America’s resolve is not being called into question, but the manner in which we use this strength is what will determine our place in history after this long costly engagement has finally ended.
V. Conclusion
Through this long narrative, one has seen the reasons given for this long war we have been fighting for the better part of eight years now; also, one has seen the extreme costs of the war, which have shown how badly we have been hurt by the decision to dance this waltz of death; then, using what was spent as a guide, one is shown what could have been achieved had we made some truly bold choices. During the process of research, this writer began to see a new vision of this country, and decided that the promotion of peace, in any form, is preferable to the alternative. The War in Iraq is an ongoing effort by the United States government, and on this day, near the end of the narrative, the mastermind behind 9/11 was finally killed. So the question has begun to spread already, “Are we done yet?”
I cannot answer that, and will not try to, as I don’t believe we will ever learn from such mistakes until our entire country begins to see what we have done to our image worldwide. In my travels around the world, I have not ignored the feelings of others and all of those that will truly decide what place we will hold in history. Sure, we can tell a tale, but that is just one story that will be picked apart by historians in the future, and beyond. It stands to reason that America really has never looked into the future to see that perhaps our place will be looked at with almost the same type of feeling given the great tyrants, warlords, and murderers that make up the rich history of the world. However, I always have hope, and perhaps after some read this, a new vision of what could be will arise; for if we are truly the future society who will carry a torch into the next age, lighting the path for all; then I pray we seek peaceful resolutions for our problems. The future is unknown, but this is certain, we have today, with the death of the 9/11 mastermind, gotten our revenge for a quarrel.
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