Our nation is literally being destroyed, not from attacks by a powerful foreign enemy, but by the relentless expansion of U.S. wars and empire building. Almost every facet of our economy, except the defense industry, is collapsing; our national debt is staggering and we are, by far, the largest creditor nation in the world. Yet, the massive spending for the military and defense contractors continues unabated. And the people of America continue to watch in passive silence.

Americans are totally aware of what is happening to this nation, this society and to them personally. Whoever is fortunate enough to have a job doesn’t know how long that job will last. While our national government runs up massive deficits and continues down the road to eventual bankruptcy, individual states are almost there; reportedly, 46 out of 50 states could file for bankruptcy in 2010-2011; it’s that bad.

Here’s a sampling of the typical problems that states, as well as individuals, are facing as they try to stop the massive hemorrhaging:

• The state of California is seriously considering sending out IOUs instead of tax refunds; payments are seriously behind to families who depend on welfare and aid for the aged, blind and disabled; and programs that serve developmentally disabled and mentally ill patients
• Some 10% of Floridians are now receiving food stamps
• Ohio unemployment funds have been depleted
• U.S. home foreclosures totaled more than 3.5 million in 2009; projections are for 5 million more in next several years
• Many school districts across America are laying off teachers, cancelling sports, music and other programs
• Governors of five U.S. states urged the federal government to provide $1 trillion in aid to the country’s 50 states to help pay for education, welfare and infrastructure as states struggle with steep budget deficits amid this continuing recession.

This is concrete evidence of the critical problems with which our states and individuals are desperately trying to cope. Deficits in individual state budgets are in the multi-billions. So, the state governors are looking for $1 trillion from the government to bail them out. But the funds are simply not there for the giving.

Why are there no federal funds available for such a high priority in our nation, namely, the functioning of the 50 states, their commitment to education systems and services to the poor, needy, disabled and the unemployed? The question is not the least bit difficult to answer. There are no funds available because they have been committed, not to the welfare and needs of the American people, but rather to the massive war machine and the defense industry which feeds upon it.

This much is clear. Our government and our leaders have decided that their greatest priority is the proliferation of wars in foreign lands. The $1 trillion that states say they will need, a monumental amount, is about equal to the annual Defense Department budget. Bullets, bombs, drones and an empire of bases are gobbling up all available funds and are the greatest reason that the printing presses in the Treasury Department are running non-stop, printing billions more “fiat money.”

But, while states are collapsing and wars drain the remaining wealth of America, the vast majority of Americans remain very silent, they seem to be unable or unwilling to break their silence and demand that this madness stop. Wherever I happen to be on any given day, I hear nothing about this issue that is doing so much damage to our nation; no strong opinions, no great debate or discussions pro or con, simply silence. Something is drastically wrong. Are we all going to just keep watching as our country goes into the tank?

What about the members of our Congress who approve those funds for the Defense Department? Do they ever question anything, do they ever challenge requests for supplemental appropriations, hold hearings to investigate abuses and waste in the system? Would they even dare to hold hearings to expose and then put a stop to the billions being spent on the Blackwater/XE mercenaries in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan? The answer to all these questions is no; Congress remains completely silent and submissive on these matters.

What about the radio talk show and cable TV hosts who talk endlessly about politics, politicians’ extra-marital affairs, and Sarah Palin? Whether right wing conservatives or progressive hosts, I hear absolutely no discussions or debates about our on-going wars. So conservative and progressive voices finally agree on something; that there is nothing to be gained by wasting time talking about war the corporate advertisers would not like it or the government might brand it as unpatriotic, maybe it’s a violation of the Patriot Act. Besides, the political lightweight Palin brings much higher ratings.

Do we hear voices in the Congress, the media, or the majority of America questioning the morality of these wars? What about the fact that our latest “surge” in Afghanistan brings with it increasing collateral damage, i.e., needless deaths of innocent civilians, including many, many children? Any complaints about drones, those WCD’s (weapons of civilian destruction) that rain death upon suspected enemies and innocents alike? There is nothing but complete silence. It’s as if life is sacred but only if it is an American life.

Have this nation and its people become so mentally conditioned by constant warnings from our government agencies and the national media about potential threats and attacks by terrorists that endless war is now an accepted element in our lives? I certainly hope not but there are some very ominous signs that point exactly to that being the case; total silence, acceptance, passiveness, and no apparent motivation to engage in any form of peaceful protest.

To anyone who might think that I am anti-military, nothing could be further from the truth. I support a strong military for the defense of America; I was a part of it for 8 years, in the National Guard, then active duty and the Army reserve, in that order. But I am against establishing a military empire and very aggressive, unnecessary wars.

As the nation and individual states slide into bankruptcy the military machine relentlessly marches on and on and on. At some point the complete silence of Americans must give way to strong, but peaceful protests such as happened after the Vietnam War had finally infuriated Americans to the extent that they said, “enough is enough.”

The passivity must end; the silence and submissiveness must end. Americans must, with a loud and demanding voice, make it known that the endless march to war cannot be allowed to continue. When are we in America going to end our silence and shout out that “enough is enough?”

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