A Change in Gender

     The selection of our new president has evoked a widespread call for change from the old administration's posture regarding war and world domination. Americans want peace and an end to the Iraq problems, as well as a sharp reduction of military oversight. Hillary Clinton offers us hope that these measures can be accomplished when she is elected. A change in gender at the White House would be an important change from a male perspective. Our country's politics has been dominated by men since the beginning of this nation. A woman in power will reflect the values we need in effecting change.

 

     The military budget for 2007 was funded at $439.3 billion , up 6.9 % from the previous year.Not included is $23.4 billion for the development and maintneance of nuclear warheads. The recent invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan are largely funded through supplementary spending bills and are not included in the budget. The cost of those wars is now at $1.3 trillion. In addition the US has a black budget spending program not included in published figures. The US and its allies are responsible for about two-thirds of the world's military spending.

 

     Current strategies by this administratsion to warrant wars in the Middle East has been through fomenting fear among US citizens against terrorists. The conflict being waged against the US is largely underground and subversive. Our response has been to wage a massive attack with weapons that are awesome, inflicting severe casualties on civilian populations in the process. Our military leaders seem to have no other recourse because they lack imagination, due, no doubt, to their training in open conflict. An underground war does not seem to be in our training manuals. I can understand the frustration our military men have in meeting the challenges offered by a clever enemy who has manipulated us into a war of their choosing, but we must not continue a contest that punishes the innocent and strips our pocketbooks. A woman's perspective is needed in order to give our country a more balanced approach to what is necesary both at home and abroad. Domestic need s have been ignored to the point that our country is facing fiscal failure. From her past record, Hillary Clinton has shown that she is also concerned with health, education and welfare of Americans. The education of Islamic people in the values of democracy is not one of her top priorities.

 

      I am dismayed by the division of Americans over the racial issue during the current political campaign. Barack Obama is a  well educated young man who has garnered support from many blacks because of his color. That should be a non-issue but cannot be ignored. Many people rally to him because of his color, but that should not be the defining factor. He will bring change to the country but also his mantle of maleness will no doubt affect his judgement. Our country at this time must also have a change of gender, bringing to the White House an aura of gentleness and response to the needs of all people. Hillary has shown us that she is that person because of her deeds as a senator and wife of our former president, Bill Clinton. With Hillary we can expect a balanced approach to military needs AND domestic problems.