Plain and simple, greed has taken this country to its knees

When the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, it was the belief of those in charge that our country was preventing against future attacks by terrorists.

Surely, this country and its allies would find weapons of mass destruction while also preventing against future attacks on our soils. More than five years since sending thousands of troops into harm’s way in what has proven to be expenditure worth gazillions, we’re discovering that the real land mines are in this country.

Our greatest dangers are dressed in three-piece suits with flashy shoes. They drive expensive cars, talk a good game and make regular trips to the bank with armloads of cash stolen from fellow Americans.

You see, the terrorists taking this country to its knees right now are actually Americans. They operate using deceit as a weapon while stealing billions from thousands of people who have placed their trust in fellow-Americans.

Look no further than Bernard Madoff, a so-called Wall Street powerhouse who has ripped off more than $50 billion from clients that include some noteworthy folks who are now seeing their retirements disappear.

Madoff’s actions have taken people to their knees, but he is not alone in his actions. You see fraud and theft unfortunately seem to be a part of our country that has become everyday behavior.

But Madoff’s reported actions certainly are not alone. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been implicated in another mess and still other politicians are being hammered for everything from cheating on their spouses to racketeering.
Look around you. Politicians in virtually every corner of this country are in trouble for everything from selling votes to abuse of power.

From one end of this county to the other, we have so many politicians and high-ranking officials going to prison that they could start a fraternity featuring stripes and numbers across their chests. Sadly, it’s almost a way of life and the common folks are getting their life savings ripped away from them in droves as the politicians and Wall Street types scam everyone from little old ladies to the owners of professional sports franchises.

I mean the continued reports of leaders in every position conducting themselves in startling and dishonest ways is so endless that we seem to take the developments for granted. Sad to say, but we don’t seem to have many credible leaders anymore.

In fact, I have a very good friend who has refused to run for office in some cases because the trail of misdeeds left behind by the previous administration was so corrupt that a once respected level of government had become the laughing stock of the country.

In virtually every case, the offenses are based on greed with total disregard for those who are being affected. The mere fact that the offenders can sleep is mind-boggling considering that they have victimized good, honest people by combining an element of deceit and theft with heartless behavior.

I still say we could have stayed out of Iraq and instead concentrated on our own problems right here in our country. Lord knows we could use a little help here in what has become a battlefield of financial and political terrorists born and raised right here in the United States.