“ Security Through Structured Bribery of Foreigners “

by S. Jovian Radheshwar for Radheshwar.com

Huntington Beach, California 2/28/2003

This week’s developing situation in world politics has been at the center of the strategy regarding the coming invasion of Iraq. While the Bush administration ceaselessly pushes on for its permanent tax cuts, spending cuts across the board and right-wing agenda of racialist demagoguery in the United States, it is actively seeking to bribe the new government in Turkey with $32 billion in economic assistance (read: BRIBE) in exchange for that nation permitting the basing of tens of thousands of US troops there in the all-but-assured war to be fought against Iraq. It seems particularly awful that this is the administration’s so-called foreign policy focus at this time, when the US economy is reeling from the continual mismanagement of the Bush team as well as the continuing bursting of the economic bubble of the late 1990’s. There is simply no indication that there will be any investment in the US economy any time soon. Unemployment is reaching levels not seen since the 1970’s, the states are unanimously faced with massive budget shortfalls, and economist Paul Krugman of Princeton University and the New York Times is predicting that you, as an individual American, will face dire economic circumstances often in the next ten years, lest you make $250,000 or more per year. That’s right, the Bush tax cut, regardless of the spin applied by non-spinners, is only being done as a favor to the super-wealthy, those who are so greedy that they could actually support this madman in the first place. Apparently, the American public is populated by docile members, all too busy being self-absorbed or ignorant of reality to attempt to stop this travesty.

The Turkish people, on the other hand, seem to be experiencing true representative democracy for once, although the responsive democrats here are not their own government, but rather ours. I certainly have nothing against aid to such a strategically important country; however, it seems that the Turkish people made some noise, elected a more nationalistic party, all in foresight concerning the emerging situation with Iraq. They made a fuss, and our government responded with aid, although this time around, due to the US’ foul track record on aid issues, the Turks demanded that the assistance package be guaranteed in writing, citing failures to continue with aid to the Afghans, the Somalis, the Bosnians, and many other countries bought off with the US’ shallow promises based on only strategic expediency. Imagine if our government was responsive to the actions of the American people, then we too could enjoy the democratic consideration afforded the Turkish people. There are no outlets that remain, other than mass movements, for the expression of truly mainstream points of view in this country, thanks to the cooption of the press by Mr. Murdoch (an Aussie!). This has enabled some really incredible things to occur, such as the Bush administration spurning even the congressional republicans’ proposal of a modest bailout of the state governments. Indeed, the Bushies are offering not a single penny to the states to overcome their shortfalls in budgetary matters. This is especially shocking when coupled with the fact that the administration is simultaneously cutting spending at the federal level, leaving the various invaluable social programs funded by the government with inevitable, likely tremendous, cutbacks.

This means less transportation maintenance, less money for already pitiful public schools, less money for domestic security and law enforcement, leaving us vulnerable to more suicide-attacks, and most importantly, less money for various vital health care programs aimed at providing care for the poorest children in our society. The long term implications of these policies are obvious, more crime, less economic growth, more importation of labor, and the prevention through combined social factors of upward social mobility. Not terribly strategic, save for when you combine such a mindless approach with the tons of propaganda and divide and rule politics coming out of the administration’s PR bureau. Looks like the Turks are somewhat more aware of self-evident truths of world politics, and are simply not buying the crappy propaganda the Bushies are selling. To them, Donald Rumsfeld is a caricature of a used car salesman from Dallas (thanks HST), selling snake oil. To obtain what will no doubt be short-term cooperation not amounting to anything long term, the US military has bought off the Turks, with promises of cash, business and possibly future oil revenues. Certainly, the Turks paid heavy costs during the first round of Bush v. Saddam in 1991, and thus they ought to have a say in this contest, however, the burgeoning underclass of America is growing, and becoming more irate. The truth will dawn on them at some point, as more and more are forced into criminality to support themselves as the state cuts back on basic services. It seems as though we are returning to an era of Social Darwinism and an even more conservative court, hell bent on imposing a philosophically contradictory ideology premised on the racialist politics of post modernity. Even after Iraq, American identity will be increasingly defined through conquest and bribery, and not through the formation of real friendships with countries, as Mr. Clinton attempted to build at the twilight of his term when he visited places like Vietnam and India, received by thousands of well-wishers. Let’s see Mr. Bush go to Vietnam, or better yet, Israel. I’m sure he’ll be received by egg hurling agitators, long neglected due to their unmonied or unstrategic status. Mr. Bush is the quintessential slut in this way. I, and most of the American people, are tired of this political promiscuity.