For most of us, it's not hard to make the connection between Scooter Libby's obstruction of justice and bigger lies. He is covering up the truth about deceptive arguments that convinced the government and citizens of the United States that invading Iraq was justified. The actions of Special Prosecutor Fitzgerald are only the start of discovering the real motives behind one of the worst blunders this country has undertaken. This is the tip of a much bigger ice berg and we must not let those who propagated this fabrication to continue to lead our nation.
If Libby is found guilty of obstruction and lying to the grand jury, he faces 30 years in prison. I hope that the charges will be more severe. He was a principal in the White House Iraqi Group (WHIG). That group is now responsible for
2,000 American deaths, 15,000 severe injuries, and $300 billion in lost revenue. If Libby serves all his time, it will equate to only 5.5 days per death, or 16 hours per amputee, or 8 hours for every $100,000,000 lost from our treasury to fund an unjustified war.
We are less secure because of this fiasco. In order to fund our occupation in Iraq, our government has cut many other programs that would have protected us in the future. Weapon programs have been cancelled; the F-22 program has been cut to the point that it is practically impossible to continue that program without paying an extreme cost per unit. These are only a fraction of our future programs that offer us a capability to decrease the cost of war, both in dollars and in lives. The DoD budget is around $600 billion for the upcoming year. When I was at the Pentagon in the 1990s, it was around $270 billion. Even with those lower expenditures in the 90s, there was more devolvement on systems that would lessen collateral damage, decrease impact on the civil infrastructure, and improve accuracy on the intended targets than there is today. Now the majority of our tax dollars are paying for operations and maintenance, where replacement systems are virtually ignored. If the current trend continues, fighting a major war will be impossible in ten years. If you think that China isn't aware of this trend, you only have to see their military buildup. They sit on the sideline buying our national debt and producing huge numbers of missile systems while we slug out a war of attrition. We are less secure and our guard is lowering, just as surely as a prize fighter tires in a slugfest in the last rounds of a major bout.
We can attribute our future security problems to the members of the WHIG. Because of the Bush's administration's need to quench industry's thirst for oil and a very limited vision on the real direction we should have been plotting, our nation will likely suffer for the next three decades, whether or not Mr. Libby joins us in that suffering by serving that time in prison. It is time to look for new visionaries that place integrity above all else and we can start now. This next year we must seek public servants who can plan a future where we all can thrive, and not just the privileged. We must elect people who have sensible ideas and the courage to see them through. Our nation needs people who have technological experience and the leadership skills to apply that experience. I have that vision and experience and the commitment to share it.
In a previous diary, I said that my gloves were off and I now hear the bell of the first round. I've had enough of the WHIG and all those who supported this administration. They must go, and 2006 will be our year to start making the necessary changes--to rise up against an oppressor of not only foreign nations but of our own people. Vote those Senators and Representatives who supported the Bush-Cheney mission out of office. My Representative in Arizona District 8, is one of them. I remember a political advertisement in which Jim Kolbe proudly stood next to a picture of President Bush in total admiration of his exploits. Will he be singing the same tune this year? I hope so, because it will help people see his true colors.
Join me in taking back our government and returning it to the people. I need your help to show local and national organizations that I have your support. With your help, I will win back AZ 8 and our nation will be taking the right step toward real leadership of the people for the people. I know that the defense industry PACs give money to candidates, and I once worked very closely with the defense industry, but I want to represent the people. If you can afford to contribute to my campaign, please consider doing so now rather than later. Your early contribution will allow me to reach others, and will let organizations in Arizona and in Washington know the type of people you want leading this country into a new era of change and prosperity. If you can give $25, $10 or $5, your voice will be heard. Please go to my Web site and show the DCCC who you think should be in Washington to fight for your cause.