Democrats

Don’t Forget Your Fellow Americans

June 7, 2006 ⋅  E-Mail Article ⋅  Print Article ⋅ Post a comment

While we hear about all of the gains and progress in the Middle East and Far East, we are forgetting our own brothers and sisters at home right here in America. As we pat ourselves on the back for the mess in Iraq we are destroying young adults lives right here in domestic America. Take a city like Pontiac Michigan for example. The city of Pontiac is laying off almost 20 police officers, around 30 firemen, and there will be cutbacks in city services and library functions. How can we let the city of Pontiac go without for one second while we send billions around the world? Who are we and what are we? Has corporate America caused us to outsource our integrity and responsibility for our fellow Americans? Where is the domestic integrity?

It has been reported that in Pontiac, command officers are being demoted and detectives are being put back on the road in response to 18 layoffs in the police department.
Pontiac’s fire stations are also facing potentially 30 layoffs. The layoffs will affect the fire stations abilities to maintain paramedics. These paramedics provide advanced life support to basic emergency medical service; the proposed layoffs will eliminate most of these positions. How can we justify sending billions in aid to countries who would just assume kill the supplier? Shouldn’t we consider taking care of our own right here in America? How can this be justified? If Mumbai India got hit with a hurricane and Oregon suffered and earthquake, who would the President try to help first? At one time it seemed obvious but lately I just don’t know.

Police and fire unions are not taking the layoffs without a fight but realistically most business and citizens won’t care that much until they need these vital services, then all hell will break loose.

The Oakland Press reported that times are difficult for all city employees and departments. The latest rounds of cuts - 78 layoffs, including police and fire, and the elimination of another 14 positions citywide - are being proposed to help eliminate a $50 million-$60 million deficit and prevent a cash shortage in the next fiscal year. Police and fi re budgets totaling $26.1 million equal almost half the city’s $53.5 million general fund operating budget. This is the first cut to the fire department. The police department lost 40 jobs, including 27 officers last fall.

We cannot accept this degradation of the quality of life here in America any longer. We need to make our voices heard in the upcoming election year and again in 2008. Do not stand and support anyone who puts anyone else ahead of your fellow American. I would expect nothing less from any other citizen from any other country in the world.

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