More evidence of U.S. foreign policy failures Re: “Iraqi cleric to followers: Stop attacking U.S. troops,” “Libyan fighters battle in key loyalist town,” & “Truck bomb at U.S. base reminder of raging war,” Sept. 12
On one page, The Washington Examiner published three articles regarding massive failures of U.S. foreign policy. First, Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s call to halt military operations vindicate anti-war voices in Congress, specifically Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, who has argued since 2003 that the violence against Americans in Iraq would end if the United States made a credible promise to withdraw.
Second, while the president has already had his “Mission Accomplished” moment in Libya, the civil war there rages on.The fact that the country’s deteriorating state was precipitated by NATO attacks will naturally result in more anti-Americanism. But when the next terrorist attack happens, you can be sure it’ll be blamed on radical Islam, not a flawed foreign policy.
Finally, the truck bomb that wounded dozens of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan should remind Americans that war is a continual incentive for terrorism and only peace can make America safe once again.
David Bier
Arlington
President Obama deserves the nation’s respect
Re: “Examiner is too critical of President Obama,” From Readers, Sept. 9
President Obama and his family have been subjected to a basic lack of respect as he attempts to do a most difficult job.I did not vote for him, but I have always respected the office of the highest elected official in the land.
Obama didn’t mess up our situation all by himself.President George W. Bush did his part, as did some of Obama’s other predecessors in this job.
If Obama were not a black man, I am sure his detractors would not feel so free to criticize and run down him and his family.Even Mrs. Obama, a beautiful, intellectual and outgoing first lady, does not escape the racial hatred.
If I can respect the last president who was a Republican and stole the presidency while the U.S. did business asusual, then you can respect President Obama. I am appalled at your newspaper. If you can’t say something good about President Obama,don’t say anything.
L.T. Smithman
Washington
Social Security should be phased out
Re: “Mosque debate is all about straw men,” Aug. 31
On July 7, The Washington Examiner ran a charticle that illustrates the rapidly increasing costs of entitlements. On Monday, CNS News reported that there are 1.75 people working full-time jobs in the private sector for every one person collecting Social Security. And with the baby boomer generation soon to retire, this ratio is going to get even worse.
To sustain Social Security for the current retirees and the baby boomers, our politicians will have to develop a strong spine to make some very tough decisions. For that to happen, voters and taxpaying citizens must do the same.
We refer to the World War II generation as the “Greatest Generation” for all the sacrifices they made so that we could live in the country we have today. As a member of Generation X, I propose a far lesser sacrifice: pay into Social Security during our working lives until every last person 55 years or older receives every benefit promised to them by the U.S. government.
But after that, Social Security at the federal level must end — and never exist again.
Brian Wrenn
Washington
