Painting another picture of the Bush reelection

I fully support an “open” dialogue concerning the last election and its future repercussions. Recently I read the response by “Name withheld by request,” in regards to Mr. Farrell’s “grasping the present or predicting the future.” At the very least, Mr. Farrell has the courage to sign his name. He has nothing to hide or fear and is willing to stand up and be counted.

However the rather rosy future that “No Name” has painted is not what I or Mr. Farrell see for America. “No Name” assures us that Bush will not be able to take away our human rights and that he will not raise the deficit to dangerous levels. “No Name” must not be reading the same newspaper I do. She or he must not be having the same experiences I have had in the last two years.

While I may not agree with every editorial, the Nov. 8 editorial from the Washington Post, in the Saipan Tribune is worth reading. A warning of the doubling of the deficit over the next four years is very real to many—including Republicans. Of course America will survive, even with the looming inflation, but at what cost?

Tennessee has just axed its health care assistance for 450,000 of the state’s poor and elderly. Corporate pension plans are being axed for long-time employees in exchange for corporate profits. The Bank of America is being audited for possible fraud in its pension and 401K plans by the federal government. Seems this huge banking corporation just may have defrauded its employees from their 401Ks in order to make huge profits for the shareholders. Naturally the audit will provide insight to this but it is just the tip of the iceberg. How many more corporations will drop pension plans? And so where does Social Security came in to play? Has the government been using Social Security to pay for its deficit?

Did “No Name” read the insightful article by Jeremy Rifkin, “America, wake up to the European dream?” (Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004 in the Saipan Tribune) This is no rosy picture for the economic/social policies of America. Europe pulls ahead while America, in its ignorance, falls behind. The tax breaks for the biggest/wealthiest corporations and individuals will be on Bush’s agenda. (Now what was the name of that oil company that just recently made a 67 percent profit? Did you get a 67 percent increase in your paycheck this year? Will your cost of living allowance pay for any of the profit?) Mr. Rifkin’s article paints a much clearer picture than what I read from “name withheld by request.”

His are opinions, rightly so, and possibly dialogue, not fact.

And with respect to human rights and the Bill of Rights, well the new Attorney General, once he gets approved by the Senate, is known for throwing out human rights. And even today the White House is attempting to throw out the Oregon State law, “Death With Dignity.” Have you stood beside your father who is dying from Parkinson’s and cannot swallow his food, has constant nightmares and hallucinations and has wished for years to end his misery? What has happened to states rights? Let us make this more personal now. Have you stood in line for an hour and 30 minutes in Guam while waiting for security checks? Last year I had to fly to LA to attend to both my ailing/dying parents. I was definitely what you could call a frequent flier. Every four weeks or so I flew back and forth to LA. When in LA, I asked if I could go to the special scanner that would expedite my waiting in line. I was curtly told, “ No. It is for businessmen only.” I did not qualify. One time my wife and I were pulled out of line at the counter and told to stand in a special security check line at LAX. Everyone in that “security line” was either Middle Eastern looking or Hispanic. Except me. I have blond hair and blue eyes. But my last name is Plaza. Is this not racial profiling? I was selected by my name only. And after patiently waiting for 45 minutes in line I complained to them that I was going to miss my plane at this rate. Suddenly four big men in blue suits with earphones came surrounding us. I am not a terrorist but I felt terrorized!

No, “Name withheld by request,” I don’t see the same rosy picture you see. I salute Mr. Farrrel, the editorial pages, and Mr. Rifkin. They and I have signed our names. We have nothing to hide or nothing to fear. We are law-abiding citizens and we will try to inform and effect change for a better America than what we see in the future. I don’t force my “moral values” on anyone else and I don’t want the “moral majority,” whatever color or creed, be it atheist or evangelical Christian, to try and force theirs upon me. This is a true and democratic America—with room for all peoples. I for one do not need George W. Bush to be my moral guidance counselor.

Phil Plaza
Saipan