No Christmas for Congress-No Aloha for President Obama

Yesterday morning, I listened to a heartfelt speech given by Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to our servicemen in Turkey.  While his actual words were elegantly stated and politically correct, the bottom line of his moving words underscored a sincere belief that the greatest threat to the security of our country today is a failure of leadership by our elected officials to prevent sequestration.

 

I agree fully with Secretary Panetta, but how does a citizen thousands of miles from home make a difference.  Before the microphone and loudspeaker, even the loudest voice reached a relatively small number of ears.  Today, the Internet and social media provides a revolutionary capability to amplify the truth and spread it rapidly across borders and time zones.   The message I’d like to spread is simple. 

 

A high price is required from the military members freely sacrificing themselves for our security.   Our warriors in Afghanistan won’t be abandoning their posts for the holidays.  Many will be performing their mission 12 hours a day and 7 days every week.  Shouldn’t our public servants exercise a similar devotion to their country?

 

The maximum penalty for a military member deserting their post in wartime is death.  What should the consequences be for a congressman to leave Washington DC on 17 Dec or for the President to vacation in Hawaii while our country is in peril?  Since the impending “fiscal cliff” is a serious threat to the security and wellbeing of all Americans, it’s reasonable to at least demand the resignation of any member of Congress or elected/appointed member of the Executive Branch deserting their post during this time of national crisis.  Have any of your congressmen deserted?  Is our President more concerned about sun, sand, and surf than our future?  Please let them know how you feel.