Why Did We Go to War, Again?

A political mind is a delicate thing; it holds power, perhaps the capacity for our utmost power, the ability to be free- to be sure that we are... but the aspect of truly understanding and pointing a finger on things is more tricky than our nation wishes to agree. Most political statements are probably opinions, theories, or trends. See? I just made one.

I keep hearing scads of general statements about the condition of our country- either concerning the war and our present, economic state- statements on the support or lack thereof for President Bush, and generalizations about the fast approaching Presidential Election. One of the most popular theories (or mysteries) that citizens seem to bring up, appears to be: Why exactly did we go to war, again? Was it oil? Was it to bring democracy to the Middle East? Are we doing it, or failing? Is Bush a total failure, or did he do the most that he could? Did Bush and the Administration lie to Congress, or did Congress know full well the situation in the Middle East before the declaration of war? Do we need to leave- or should we stick around and get something done?

Nobody seems to think it could be a little of everything- everybody seems to have an opinion, conflicting or otherwise. But perhaps that's the stuff of democracy.

If studies show that American's interest in political interest is on the decline, parties have scattered, and present generations are more self-driven... I believe it; I believe that current society thinks war sucks- and it does- but I feel almost a sense of entitlement radiating throughout society. It has been stated that, "Americans don't like long, unproductive wars." Obviously economies suffer during times of war, obviously it's heart wrenching when soldiers come home broken- or not at all. War isn't glamorous; it cannot be romanticized as we like to with the era of the 1940s. When it comes down to it, war is ugly and is ultimately the President's call- but let's not forget the overwhelming support Bush's actions received initially. I guess the war has grown unfashionable, really- I mean, who likes having to save for things- or worse, losing their home?

Where has the backbone of America gone? There's not a draft (yet) and as far as I can tell, no one's forced to render wedding bands, tiaras, or gold fillings to support the war. Most of us still go to work and school, drive cars, keep on reproducing, and stuff our faces with popcorn at movie theaters. Of course, things could get worse, but maybe it's not a bad thing that American's careless spending found itself in check after the economic boom of the 90s? On a positive stretch, I finally understand why my grandmother chewed half pieces of gum at a time and tore paper napkins in half.

Current society doesn't pay attention to politics as a whole and what little information the media (meaning television) generates is incomplete and summarized. It's not a wonder to me that most of the country is shocked by our present state- that nobody for the life of them, can pin point what's really going on!

Is it really as "Gone with the Wind's" Ashley Wilkes put it: Most of the miseries of the world were caused by war- and when the wars were over, nobody knew what they were really about? Perhaps...