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HighDesertDJ
Trad climber
Arid-zona
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Topic Author's Original Post - Nov 10, 2008 - 04:49pm PT
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The big issues that have dominated the conversation about politics aside, the massive brain drain that has inflicted the government has been foremost in my mind these past few years. Bush has politicized the executive branch to such an extent that career officials who were incredibly valuable and incredibly competent basically fled the gov't en masse. This received a lot of press a few years ago but not much since, and it is one of the prime reasons that FEMA, the CIA and other organizations have been so ineffective.
Other excellent examples of this are the medical and other scientific research and information was politicized. Research was distorted, omitted or falsified to fit the administration's views on birth control, STD prevention, abortion and many other issues. The first Surgeon General appointed by Bush eventually quit because of things like this as well as repeatedly being scolded for trying to support things like the Special Olympics that were seen as being politically advantageous to Bush's opponents, regardless of their impact on people for the better.
The military has typically been where Republicans have been able to argue that they are strongest, and even Bush's obvious manipulation of his officers has not assuaged that. He has consistently stated that he "listens to his officers on the ground" and then been obviously happy to keep shopping around for commanders who agree to say what he wants to hear. Far too many career soldiers were either forced out or chose to leave because of this attitude and it is a wonder how things might be different had we had a leader who was willing to hear the opposing viewpoint and make the tough choices in the face of his proclaimed ideology.
It seems with the election this stranglehold on information has begun to ease.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/11/10/pentagon_board_says_cuts_essential/
"A senior Pentagon advisory group, in a series of bluntly worded briefings, is warning President-elect Barack Obama that the Defense Department's current budget is "not sustainable," and he must scale back or eliminate some of the military's most prized weapons programs.
The briefings were prepared by the Defense Business Board, an internal management oversight body. It contends that the nation's recent financial crisis makes it imperative that the Pentagon and Congress slash some of the nation's most costly and troubled weapons to ensure they can finance the military's most pressing priorities.
Those include rebuilding ground forces battered by multiple tours to Iraq and Afghanistan and expanding the ranks to wage the war on terrorism.
"Business as usual is no longer an option," according to one of the internal briefings prepared in late October for the presidential transition, copies of which were provided to the Globe. "The current and future fiscal environments facing the department demand bold action."
The briefings do not specify which programs should be cut, but defense analysts say that prime targets would probably include the new F-35 fight er jet, a series of Navy ship programs, and a massive Army project to build a new generation of ground combat vehicles, all of which have been skyrocketing in cost and suffering long development delays."
So the Pentagon is literally asking Barack Obama to cut their budget. This could not be more generous or timely for Obama who will be faced with the possibility of a $1 trillion shortfall in the coming year. Personally, I look forward to a huge number of common sense and honest assessments of government agencies about where they are at and what needs to happen to get them on the right track. I believe there is a sense that Obama won't punish people for speaking their minds or giving honest assessments, even if they are negative and the career public service officials that remain are eager to get their departments back on track. I am truly hopeful that along with a renewed commitment to service instead of personal wealth a younger generation will fill the ranks of our government with smart, motivated people who will once again ensure that our government is working hard in the best interest of our citizens instead of the best interest of a political party or ideology.
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dirtbag
climber
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Nov 10, 2008 - 05:07pm PT
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We are about to have an intelligent President--imagine that!
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jstan
climber
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Nov 10, 2008 - 08:23pm PT
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All of our alarm bells need to go off, from now on, whenever any one uses the word "elite".
"elite"= ability
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Nov 10, 2008 - 08:48pm PT
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WTF are you talking about? Bush is considered the most elite, is he able?
Alarm bells should go off when you hear 'wealth redistribution'.
Think about it.
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jstan
climber
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Nov 10, 2008 - 09:50pm PT
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Blue:
In its current use the meaning of "elite" has been distorted so that it is applied to people having ability.
Under the new meaning Bush is not elite. Yes he did grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth and actually never needed to do a day's work in his life. But he has no ability so he is not "elite". He agrees as I have never heard him claim himself to be elite.
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Nov 10, 2008 - 10:27pm PT
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The "elite" have been the true enemys of Democracy ever since 600 BC.
These "elites" have a malignant narcicistic belief that only they the Kaloi k' agathoi have the right to govern.
Welcome your new demigod!
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HighDesertDJ
Trad climber
Arid-zona
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 10, 2008 - 10:29pm PT
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Start another thread about elitism. This one is about building a competent government. Get out.
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