NATIONAL DEBTS, by Mumia Abu-Jamal

NATIONAL DEBTS, by Mumia Abu-Jamal


[col. writ. 7/30/11], Mumia Abu-Jamal



Amidst the political brinksmanshlp occasioned by the rising of the national debt ceiling, a question arises.



What is the nation‘s debt?



Of the 14.3 trillion cited in published accounts, over a quarter of that amount, or $4.4 trillion, is the projected costs of the mad adventures In Iraq and Afghanistan, in military material expenditures, wages, financial supports to occupation governments, and perhaps the most steadily increasing price tag: medical bills for tens of thousands of those wounded in the wars--costs that will continue to accrue for the rest of their lives.



Indeed, the needless, wasteful and disastrous wars (talk about weapons of mass destruction!) account for 31% of the rampaging national debt!

Should the millions of Americans who took to the streets in the largest anti-war demonstrations in generations, who warned against this folly In Spring 2003, be saddled with this stunning burden of trilIions?



That is not fair.



Yet, it is they who will suffer the effects of cuts in social services, like Medicare, Medicaid, and lengthened work lives in order to access Social Security, and worsening schools as teachers are bullied by anti-union ideologues barking for their corporate masters on Wall street.



How is this their debt?



And as we speak of ‘national debt’, why do we not discuss the almost immeasurable debt owed to the Cherokee, Lenape, Iroquois, Navaho and Seminole clans and nations?



I‘ve never heard that discussed.



What about the debt owed to millions of Mandinka, Wolof, Ashanti, Akan, Fula and Pular clans and nations stolen for centuries from West Africa to enrich and build this nation?



These debts are not, and have never been tallied up.



Was this just a freebie?



Meanwhile, the political class loads more and more burdens on the backs of the people, to please their billionaire and corporate sponsors.

All they can do is promise more.

(c) ’11 maj