A Real National Security Strategy Unveiled
| By ToddHill - Mar 30th, 2006 at 12:03 pm EST |
| Also listed in: Campus Progress Blog |
Finally a real national security plan is unveiled, and it didn't come from the Party that proclaims itself to be "tough on defense," it came from the Party that is re-branding itself in an effort to appeal to the constituents who have traditionally seen the Democratic Party has weak on national defense. I think they just might have got this plan right!
In dissecting elements of this platform, a major focus is rebuilding a state of the art military to handle the challenges of the 21st century, along with redeploying our troops to the outskirts of Iraqi territories and ramp up the pressure on political factions to take charge. I've noted time and again how we are pouring billions of dollars into the Pentagon, record amounts, and all it is doing is sustaining war. This money is not going towards new equipment and manpower, which is called for under the Real Security plan. China, India, North Korea, Iran, and many other countries have been pouring money into advanced technology and we are not. We are lagging behind in sustaining our military force and this plan addresses the longevity of our military. It is forward thinking and that is a huge plus.
The plan also calls for a GI Bill of Rights, something championed by former NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Wesley Clark. This bill guarantees veterans, active duty personnel, reservists, and families related to all of them, the pay, healthcare, and other needed benefits they have earned. Finally, a sensible approach to taking care of our armed services has arrived. This plan will instill confidence internally with military personnel, knowing that they, and their families will be taken care of is a huge burden lifted off of already stressful shoulders. Not to mention a guarantee of improved equipment, weaponry, and an actual PLAN for war should it be executed, will go a long way in beginning the recovery our military desperately needs right now. I like what I read.
The Real Security platform calls for increased focus on Special Operation forces, which are key to destroying individual terrorist cells. You need to read the incredible interview by Eric Haney, a former Sergeant Major, and founding member of the elite Delta Special Operation force. In this interview he lambastes the Bush administration for weakening our military, and causing a Civil War in Iraq. He also discusses how more special operation forces are needed to combat terrorism at the root level of where it grows. One Party over the other has picked that up.
Another thing I like is building up the Spy ranks to plant these individuals in terrorist organizations, and even rogue countries, to better gather intelligence. What a concept! Improving our intelligence capabilities, gee, would have never thought of that! Screening 100% of our cargo, not outsourcing important homeland security initiatives to other nations, and sensible border security are all other elements too.
The part I enjoyed the most though? A real focus on bringing to justice Osama bin Laden, something this administration has absolutely failed to do despite hundreds of promises to the contrary. Experts including former Terrorist Czar Richard Clarke have hounded on the fact we have not done enough to combat economic, social, and political conditions in third world countries that breed terrorism, along with focusing on eliminating and/or capturing terrorist leaders. This plan will focus on that.
There is much more to this platform then I have time to write about, but I do encourage you to check it out and encourage others to do the same. We need a real sensible approach to rebuilding our national and homeland defense, and I think the one Party traditionally not associated with this type of initiative is stepping up to the plate.
In dissecting elements of this platform, a major focus is rebuilding a state of the art military to handle the challenges of the 21st century, along with redeploying our troops to the outskirts of Iraqi territories and ramp up the pressure on political factions to take charge. I've noted time and again how we are pouring billions of dollars into the Pentagon, record amounts, and all it is doing is sustaining war. This money is not going towards new equipment and manpower, which is called for under the Real Security plan. China, India, North Korea, Iran, and many other countries have been pouring money into advanced technology and we are not. We are lagging behind in sustaining our military force and this plan addresses the longevity of our military. It is forward thinking and that is a huge plus.
The plan also calls for a GI Bill of Rights, something championed by former NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Wesley Clark. This bill guarantees veterans, active duty personnel, reservists, and families related to all of them, the pay, healthcare, and other needed benefits they have earned. Finally, a sensible approach to taking care of our armed services has arrived. This plan will instill confidence internally with military personnel, knowing that they, and their families will be taken care of is a huge burden lifted off of already stressful shoulders. Not to mention a guarantee of improved equipment, weaponry, and an actual PLAN for war should it be executed, will go a long way in beginning the recovery our military desperately needs right now. I like what I read.
The Real Security platform calls for increased focus on Special Operation forces, which are key to destroying individual terrorist cells. You need to read the incredible interview by Eric Haney, a former Sergeant Major, and founding member of the elite Delta Special Operation force. In this interview he lambastes the Bush administration for weakening our military, and causing a Civil War in Iraq. He also discusses how more special operation forces are needed to combat terrorism at the root level of where it grows. One Party over the other has picked that up.
Another thing I like is building up the Spy ranks to plant these individuals in terrorist organizations, and even rogue countries, to better gather intelligence. What a concept! Improving our intelligence capabilities, gee, would have never thought of that! Screening 100% of our cargo, not outsourcing important homeland security initiatives to other nations, and sensible border security are all other elements too.
The part I enjoyed the most though? A real focus on bringing to justice Osama bin Laden, something this administration has absolutely failed to do despite hundreds of promises to the contrary. Experts including former Terrorist Czar Richard Clarke have hounded on the fact we have not done enough to combat economic, social, and political conditions in third world countries that breed terrorism, along with focusing on eliminating and/or capturing terrorist leaders. This plan will focus on that.
There is much more to this platform then I have time to write about, but I do encourage you to check it out and encourage others to do the same. We need a real sensible approach to rebuilding our national and homeland defense, and I think the one Party traditionally not associated with this type of initiative is stepping up to the plate.
!
Comments are closed for this post.
Also, do you know of any link where I could see a proposed GI bill of rights? This also would have its economic consequences but a worthy one for sure. I'm wondering though how long does the democratic plan call for continuing the benefits given to the families of and military personnel themself.
Very nice post, good work.
Also, do you know of any link where I could see a proposed GI bill of rights? This also would have its economic consequences but a worthy one for sure. I'm wondering though how long does the democratic plan call for continuing the benefits given to the families of and military personnel themself.
Very nice post, good work.
As to screening cargo, I think no matter what the cost, we MUST do it. In fact, Bush said those exact words shortly after 9/11, but didn't fulfill that promise. Again though, you are going to see a complete restructuring of economic policy, and shifting of the tax burdens to more corporate taxation and top 1% increases in taxation. Good or bad that tends to be Democratic economic policy, but it works. Plus, when you are not spending as much on war and rebuilding another country, even though we were told Iraqi oil would pay for reconstruction, that lifts an enormous tax burden off the American people.
TMH
I listed a few more ways on my reply to your reply on my post how the government could raise some money.
I think a lot of middle to lower class people still erroneously believe that the Bush tax cuts dramatically affected their lives in a positive way. I know that the Kerry camp And DNC released some info on how it was only the 1% gaining anything from them, but for those who are less politically involved, I can tell you a lot of people agree with Hannity and Or Reilly when they just say it's a false liberal cry. That’s the reality that democrats are going to have to face when they shift the economic policy, and it's a tough one to combat. If they are going to change the policy so dramatically it would suit them good to be very personal with the public and explain to them where all of their tax dollars are going and why, in simple language, it is necessary that tax money comes in.
That is the power of the President though, the ability to command media attention at the snap of a finger. It is an advantage he will always have. It is our job in the grassroots, netroots, etc to spread the word. If you are able, please do so.
TMH