"“Intelligence gathered by this and other governments leaves no doubt that the Iraq regime continues to possess and conceal some of the most lethal weapons ever devised.” — George W. Bush, State of the Union Address, Jan. 28, 2003
On Wednesday, Jan. 12, the White House officially announced that, after an extensive investigation, there were never any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
On the third Thursday of each month, I usually spend a couple of hours with some friends of mine over dinner. We catch up on recent events, talk about our college days, and enjoy each other’s company. We meet at a local restaurant, and wind up spending $15 or $20 each on food and drink.
But this Thursday will be different. This Thursday will be Jan. 20. On that day, King George II will go through the ceremonies of state that mark the beginning of his second, and thankfully last, term of office. There will be millions spent in Washington on food and drink, on overpriced hotel rooms, first-class plane tickets, champagne and caviar, tuxes and wear-once dresses. Millions will be spent to strut the stuff of power. It will be a veritable orgy of the rich and powerful in Republican America, a day to see and be seen in Washington.
The inauguration will be a stark contrast to the plight of many Americans. There is a growing divide between the wealthy and the poor. More people are working unskilled, non-union jobs to make ends meet, to clothe their kids and fend off bill collectors. Record numbers of people are turning to bankruptcy for a fresh start.
Many young men and women serve in the military and National Guard, enticed by a steady paycheck and educational benefits. Most volunteered with pride and a sense of patriotic duty. Instead, they’ve inherited two and three long tours of duty in unfriendly foreign territory. Twelve hundred of them have inherited a casket.
The situation is even worse in Iraq. Already oppressed by a ruthless dictator, their situation has gone from bad to worse. The economy was reduced to shambles, homes and businesses destroyed by senseless American attacks. Families are subject to midnight raids in search of “insurgents,” meaning anyone who resists the Western occupation. Al Qaeda never had a foothold before, but more Iraqis are viewing resistance as their best chance for peace.
Economic stability, after all, is the bedrock of peace. Islamic fundamentalism prospered among poor young Arabs who felt they had no hope for the future. The Soviet Union fell because of empty shelves and long lines. A bad economy cost Jimmy Carter his second term in 1980, and a good economy assured two terms for Bill Clinton. In Iraq, the people have seen their businesses and a hundred thousand friends and relatives disappear. They do not see a bright future, certainly not like George Bush will envision on Jan. 20.
So, there is a grassroots national campaign underway for an economic boycott in America on Jan. 20. Those who oppose what is happening in Iraq will just not spend any money on that day. No gasoline, no groceries, no home closings.
In a way, we’re empathizing with the Iraqi people who are victims of George Bush’s war. We’re also empathizing with the American families whose sons and daughters are no longer part of our economy. We’ll be expressing our frustration over an administration racking up record deficits that will haunt future generations of Americans.
Will this project hurt the economy? Nope. Buy your groceries on the 19th instead of the 20th. Wait until Friday to go out to eat. At best, it will be a blip on the radar screen, but that’s fine. It’s a chance to vote with your pocketbooks for one day, to make others sit up and think about the impact that economic stagnation can have.
Instead of standing in line like cattle to buy Chinese imported goods, let it be known that you’re not happy with our trade deficit.
Instead of sitting in line to fill your gas tank, let it be known that you’re sick of paying the Arabs for imported oil.
Instead of buying that big-ticket item on Thursday, remember that many people, here and in Iraq, cannot afford the luxuries we take for granted.
There’s no rally to attend, no marching, no registration, no pickets, no public embarrassment. Simply resolve to spend nothing, as many families and many soldiers have no choice but to do.
Not one dime. "
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AMEN...RIGHT ON...I'M DOING IT!