The Bloodshed Continues In Iraq

Over 250 Iraqi's have been killed in Iraq by bombings in just the last week.  More is expected to come and the withdrawal of American troops from the cities by June 30 is being used by some as an explanation for the killings.

 

There are those in America who still want the war to continue and are saying our troops should not be withdrawn by June 30.  Our military leaders and Iraqi government officials say the agreement will be honored and that Iraq can handle the situation.  Those in America who want to undermine the treaty forget there was much more killing in Iraq when our troops were in full combat mode.  What is happening now does not compare to the horrific killings in the past. 

 

President Obama and our military should see that the treaty plays out as planned.  It is past time for Iraq to handle their own security and affairs.  Keeping U.S. troops in Iraq will not stop the killing.  We have found that out already.  The invasion and occupation of Iraq started a chain reaction and no one can say for sure how it will all end.  The price of this unnecessary war has been steep, especially for our men and women in uniform and their families.  Our troops have been in Iraq for over 6 years and most have seen multiple deployments.  It will get worse for some because they will be going to Afghanistan, the forgotten war on terror.

 

The picture of this unnecessary war could be seen long ago.  The war will not go away quietly even after all our troops are long gone.  The past has always been a mirror image of the future.  The middle east is not America and too many of our leaders have not learned from the past.

Louisiana Legislature And Their Pork

Louisiana lost 3700 non-farm jobs in May and the unemployment rate jumped to 6.6% from 4.1% in May 2008.  AT the same time gasoline prices are still rising at the pump despite  an over supply and despite the fact that gasoline usage is still down.

 

The Louisiana legislature closed its session the other day but not before providing millions of dollars of tax breaks to businesses as they have been doing on a regular basis for years.  The people are told it is necessary to create jobs but unemployment is going up not down.  The jobs are not being created when they are needed the most, in an economic downturn. 

 

Mr. Benson and his Saints made out like bandits again thanks to our elected officials.  It pays to have money in this state.  The Saints play in the dome no more than 11 days a year and for that Mr. Benson is paid millions of dollars in cash and other goodies. 

 

The Louisiana economy will turn around and create jobs when the national economy does so.  Business welfare does not create and sustain jobs.  Those industries who receive those hand outs prove that over and over.  The people would do well to remember the Investment Tax Credit that congress passed over 20 years ago.  It was done at the urging of CEO's of big business.  They said it was necessary to buy new plant and equipment to make them more competitive and have the latest technology which would make them more efficient and more profitable and plow those profits back into their plants and keep them competitive.  Well instead of plowing those profits back into their businesses they went to bonuses for their CEO's and executives.  That's what a study by congress found out.

 

With all of the tax breaks and corporate welfare given to American businesses for the past 50 years one would think we should have a lasting economy and job creation. Politicians who benefit from lobbyist campaign cash are just as bad ad the bosses of American businesses.  Louisiana has a governor who is AWOL concerning those things that really matter and make a difference for the average citizen.  Once again it was business who came out on top this session of the legislature and the governor led the way.