Posted by
Catmman on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:57:19 PM
I remember suffering through the Clinton administration - the shame I felt as an American.
The constant scandals. The "improprieties." All the sordid crap that came with Bill Clinton, his politics and the associated morass of those years. Having Bill Clniton as my Commander-In-Chief just ascerbated matters all the more for me. I was ashamed to be an American since my "government" was so full of corruption, graft, etc.
I had thought once the Clintons left office at least things would be a bit better - and they were. When GWB came in, especially after 9/11 I felt pride again. We took the fight to those who murdered our countrymen. There were bumps along the way to be sure, but one thing I could be sure of? George W. Bush was a man of true character. He didn't sully the White House with his personal garbage. He brought a sense of honor back to what it meant to be an American. (Incidentally, when I say feeling pride in being an American, I mean for the sake of America alone. I could care less what some third world craphole thinks about us - I know we are better.) For his faults and missteps, GWB brought that back to our country, to the White House and the Presidency.
Now it seems we may be in for another helping of scandal ridden politics once again from the incoming administration. What with this Blego guy, possible ties to Obama, the selling of a Senate seat (amongst all the other stuff), the return of numerous Clinton cronies to the White House (including Madam Clinton herself) just make me shake my head in anticiaption of the coming re-sullying of my country, the White House and the Presidency.
It is indeed unfortunate that honesty, integrity, loyalty, faith, insert-value-here aren't what these people (our politicians) care about and that a majority of the electorate (who keeps putting these kinds of crooks in office) feels the same way. That's another thing - I am ashamed that a good percentage of my fellow Americans don't do anything anymore but put their hands out. Makes me sick...
I have spent 22 years of my life in service to this nation on active duty in the military. Though I have made my fair share of mistakes, one overiding thought has been at the forefront of my mind - duty. What would be best for the accomplishment of the mission, for my country. It is embarrassing to me that we have "leaders" who must take questions about corrutption (the incoming administration already wrapped up in a scandal and they have even been sworn into office yet!) let alone be associated with it. And once busted, they take no personal responsibility, they scapegoat everything. Everything is "nuanced." No one can answer a question anymore with qualifying their answer. Do I need to go on?
I've felt pretty good most of the time about my country. However in anticipation of what is to come, I'm glad I have decided to retire. I can't go through another four or more years of corruption and scandal. I voted at the ballot box to try to stave off such nonsense...
I am now voting with my feet so I'm not party to it any more.