Harlingen, Texas, January 25, 2010 - There are an
estimated 27 million men and close to two million women
who are veterans or serving on active duty in the armed
forces of the United States. They rank among the most
patriotic of our citizens, are predominantly
conservative in their political ideas and in recent
years tend to be moving away from membership in either
the Democrat or Republican Party. We sent a call out to
those veterans who were now among the ranks of
independent voters and asked them to tell us their
concerns as we entered another national election year.
They were asked to list and rank their top political
issues. Though only the top three concerns were
requested, most lists ran far longer.
This collective group of individuals named national
security as their primary worry. Though it was followed
by a variety of concerns about healthcare, excessive
spending, the economy, high taxes and immigration there
was no topic that garnered more dialog than the
veterans' observations that our entire national security
effort is totally inadequate. It is not surprising that
national security concerns were at the top of any
veteran's list. What was interesting, however, is that
topic was the lead concern by three out of five
respondents and appeared on seven out of ten lists.
Ranking their concerns in order of group importance, the
veterans listed:
- National Security
- High Taxes
- Healthcare
- Economy
- Excessive spending
- Immigration
- Lack of honesty, honor and fiscal responsibility
by Congress
- Ear Marks
- Term Limits
- Energy independence
Charles Northington of Plano, TX is a veteran of the
Army Air Corps and a retired Captain of the United
States Public Health Service. He spoke of national
security saying, “America and the world cannot allow
Radical Islam to establish a caliphate or any other
union of the Muslim nations. Such a union would
guarantee another round of religious crusades in the
near future. Also, we cannot allow international
criminals such as the mafia or the drug lords in Mexico,
South America, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East to
literally take control of nations.
“America must develop means of stopping other nations
and groups from supporting the Radical Islamist
terrorist and the international criminals. Such programs
must give some concern to relationships with non-radical
Muslim groups or governments.”
Robert Pullease served as a Marine Staff Sergeant in
Vietnam. He feels political correctness is eating away
at our national security. “When you bend the rules to
keep from hurting someone's feelings you end up
endangering and infringing on the rights of everyone.
These are not disadvantaged people. They are law
breakers.”
A twenty-year Navy veteran, John Billings says the main
threat to our country is inattention to national
security. “We need full time security”, he says, “This
means NOT giving constitutional rights to terrorists and
not having rules of engagement placed on our troops.”
John Clayton, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant says,
“National Security should be the priority always. I
believe in a strong defense and to hell with the
appeasement factor.” He would assure this needed
attention to defense by electing only individuals of
proven integrity and honesty “ instead of those in bed
with the political correct crowd.”
A business development manager and a former Marine
Captain, Dick Brammer says he wants to see, “A forceful
anti-terror campaign, including keeping Gitmo open and
no civilian trials for terrorists.”
Many of the veterans called for governmental action
against CAIR (Council of American Islamic Relations)
calling it a known terrorist sympathizer. They also want
the government at all levels to admit we are at war with
Islamic terrorists and end the political correctness
that surrounds all actions related to these people who
are engaged in an act of war against our country.
Grant Beck is a retired Marine Sergeant Major from
Jacksonville, NC. He wants us to get someone with a
backbone to run for office. He wants to see his leaders
to “Tighten up all borders and get the immigration
situation under control.” He also wants our leadership
“Standing up straight and with a steady gaze, willing to
spread the word around the world that this is the
greatest nation on earth.”
Gale Gabriel is an Air Force veteran and independent
voter. “What do I want? Total crackdown on any terrorist
activity is necessary. If water boarding is considered
torture, so be it. American lives are far more valuable.
We are not the aggressor. Send them to Gitmo for a quick
military trial, or how about paying Mexico to imprison
them for life. It would be cheaper than keeping them in
our prisons. Harsh??? Damn right! Keep this country
strong.”
Bill Murphy of Alvin, TX says, “Three top things,
toughness on terrorists, strong support for Israel and
fight for the unborn!” Another Texan, John Borley says,
“Stop Mirandizing and coddling terrorists through our
U.S. Court system. Use a tribunal and get intelligence
information from terrorists that can save American lives
in the future.”
Veteran Jim Adams now retired from the FBI writes,
“Terrorism – we have got to do a better job of handling
it. This includes more than Afghanistan. The entire
Middle East has large populations that would love to see
us disappear. We cannot change ideals, so we need to
find a better way to deal with it.”
Retired Colonel James Carothers of Slidell, LA had
extensive comments on national security. He believes we
should have a global theme...”Build America – Defend
America” and strongly points out, “If you are not
contributing to at least one of the above, you are just
‘overhead'.” He believes political party affiliation is
irrelevant to this theme.
Carothers explains himself in this way, “We are in a
long war. We don't have a choice in this matter; the
elements of conflict are fixed and will not change. Give
them the ‘pointed end' of our superior technology. Stop
allowing and enabling Muslim Extremists to conduct
combat operations in Minneapolis, New York, Washington,
Pennsylvania or any sovereign American territory.”
He concludes saying, “Interdict 5th Column Muslim
infrastructure (domestic) within America. Stop prison
recruitment effort. Stop the flow of dollars from
domestic charities to Muslim Extremists. Defend the
homeland aggressively. Protect American citizens from
the Muslim Extremist threat and fight on their turf...not
ours!”
There were many strong words written in the messages
from these people. The words are all from individuals
who have given our nation substantial years of their
lives. They have defended the Constitution and because
of them and millions of their brothers-in-arms we still
enjoy freedom. If elected officials should listen to
anyone, it should not be the backroom dealmakers, but
those among our citizens who stood tall when their
country called. If the politicos can't do that one
simple thing, they should...
Remember Massachusetts! |
