Believe In America.com

TheWorldAccording2Mark · Joined: 14 Jul 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Upstate NY

My favorite holidays are Thanksgiving and Fourth of July, in that order. With the approach of the Independence Day holiday, I have read several editorials regarding how the authors feel about the status of our country. They wrestle with ideas about shame and pride, patriotism and treasonous thought. They opine about how we should feel about our country.

I travel all over this country in my profession. I meet all types of people and most are quite good. Regular people, those who work for their daily bread, raise their kids, go out with their wives, and enjoy their lives.

I do not fear for this country because of the everyday people in it. I fear for it because the leaders do not lead. They treat this country as if it is a corporation and they are the officers in charge. They do everything with an eye toward benefiting themselves first, their friends second, and the country last. They consider their actions above the laws that all others obey. The president and vice president think they should not be held accountable for their actions. In a classic corporation, the corporation is held accountable to the limit of its assets, the individuals are not. The primary role of a corporation is to maximize the profits for its shareholders. Unfortunately, this administration defines its shareholders as those who voted for it and or contributed to its campaign.

However, this country is not a corporation. Once elected the government is responsible for all its citizens. This current administration has not lost its way, it simply does not care one bit about non-shareholders. The last straw for me is the commuting of Scooter Libby’s sentence. Scooter is a "shareholder" and must be protected. Valerie Plame is not a "shareholder" (in the president’s narrow view). If you or I were to lie to a grand jury we would do our jail time. Why is it ok for the president, Karl Rove or Scooter Libby to lie, destroy people, and start wars with no fear they will be held responsible?