The Government Knows Best?

The Government Knows Best?
By Robert Schneider

You’ve heard it said: ” The government knows best what’s good for its citizens.”  We’re in trouble if you believe that statement. Do you think that the government should block a bill from being heard by the Congress if it protects a commitment it made for its own interests and disregards us in its considerations? Maybe we want it or don’t want it, but give us a chance to speak our mind. I suspect that you would like an example?

Secretary of State Condolleeza Rice told Japan in Tokyo that the United States intends to give Japan full support to meet their goal of becoming a permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations. We all are aware that Japan has never issued an official apology for  its deeds and other atrocities in WW-II.  Next, I strongly suspect that Congress was instructed not to introduce any bills involving getting an apology from Japan. It’s obvious that both can’t be done; so what is the answer?  Easy, don’t allow Congress to debate  any bills on this subject. Just to be safe, don’t allow VFW to assist in the drive to get people behind a bill. There must be a lot riding on this matter so “Washington” appears to have applied an effective scheme…

i.e. don’t answer any mail from constituents RE: an apology. The above approach should stop the matter from being discussed and it did just that. The matter never got inside the doors of Congress . Except for a few responses, no one bothered to write and express an opinion.

As a result:

1) The government knows best.
2) This isn’t a government of the people and for the people.
3) A way to avoid being responsible to constituents is to not answer their letters.
4) The VFW appears to have gotten in line with someone’s edict.
5) Follow-up letters should never be answered.
6) This approach will cost someone determined to help Americans a lot of time and money. Right again; it cost me over 8 months  and left me sitting outside the doors of Congress.
7) I found out who in Washington considers money more important than patriotism or self esteem more important than the public in general.  If you are unfortunate, you may rub your senator the wrong way and lose a voice.
8) You may find that a politician will write a letter to get you out of the way        and then you discover the “facts” he has devised are false. [I hope he didn’t believe them]

The 60th. anniversary of WW II has arrived.  Prime Minister Koizumi will probably visit Yasukuni Shrine to pray for their dead soldiers.

Yes, I am critical of Japan RE: no apology. My preference is to be able to honor our living veterans, give Americans the opportunity for closure and to honor all, living and dead, who participated in the victory and have all Americans supporting each other respectfully.

***For a summary of Japan’s atrocities, etc. in WW II, see the writer’s articles in www.veteranstoday.com The story begins with the Rape of Nanjing and continues to the present. Some of the material comes from Iris Chang’s book : “The Rape of Nanking. “***