News from the States

To read the news nowadays seems more depressing than ever. Especially the human tragedy in Iraq makes me sad and I wonder if there hope. Can the government there become stable and reasonably represent and work in the interest of the people or will it break apart into smaller states based on religion or back under the rule of some military despot or something else. How about Afghanistan? How long will the US forces be there too? I remember reading about the Russians fighting in Afghanistan during the 80s. I never thought US forces would be there too someday. What exacting are we trying to accomplish there again? Can someone remind me please. I think there is a disconnect between why the US originally invaded Iraq and what the US is trying to do there now. Actually, I am a little confused by US foreign policy. My best guess is that we are trying to stop development of weapons of mass destruction, destroy the 9/11 terrorists and governments of states that sponsor them, and spread democracy.

If you went overseas to any country in the world and someone asked you, "What country are you from?", how would you feel about answering them? I find it uncomfortable to answer that I am American sometimes because I feel the intangible irritation people have with America and questions and frustrations that come with it. I really should feel proud to be American. There seems to be nothing that Americans can’t solve and accomplish.

One of the biggest issues I have with the Democratic Party is that I am unsure what their vision is for the US as well. I read a quote by the Democratic Senator Charles Schumer from New York who predicted good results for Democrats in the upcoming elections because Americans want "better ethics, better energy, better education, better health care, better stem cell research." Except for the stem cell research, which I know little about, I would have to agree. But why do I still feel like there is no leadership in our government, no captain at the wheel, from either party.