The Urge to Help
When we see the awful carnage across the country, it is natural to wonder—what can we do to help? This urge is embedded in the heart of Americans. Look at how we respond to disasters as well as pleas on such platforms as GoFundMe. We’re a generous people as a rule. Look for sites that promise matching (or check with your employer to get a match); it makes a big difference. But after making a donation, what else can we do?
The Usual Option
What do we normally do to show disapproval of behavior? Boycott the entity/country that is causing the problem. However, with Russia, it is much more difficult. Russian vodka has been pulled from the shelf of almost all stores, so we don’t even have the option to avoid it. Most of the rest of the exports from Russia don’t really offer us an option, unless you buy gems or fertilizer.
One could boycott companies that continue to operate in Russia, but… As companies like Subway have noted, to pull out now not only hurts their bottom line which would lead to price increases for all of us, but most important, it means many regular Russians would lose their jobs. At this point, none of them have a say in what Putin does. It is not a democracy. And with the fall of the ruble, these people who are just like us, are being impoverished. Boycotting Subway doesn’t hurt Putin. So that’s out. It doesn’t make sense.
The Stakes are Higher This Time
No matter what aspect of this touches your heart, we, as citizens of the US, have to consider a larger issue. If Putin wins, China (the CCP) is empowered. While little that Russia does will impact us (except in gas prices), China’s ambitions could definitely change our lives if they are successful. Taiwan is only the beginning. The CCP wants to be in charge of everything, taking over the way the economy operates and more. After causing the pandemic while denying their responsibility and refusing to alert everyone immediately after the virus escaped, this is not a government deserving of the power they seek. We need to stand up to Russia to send a message to China.
What’s Left to Us?
As individuals, we can’t really impact Putin. But we can pressure our government to do the right thing. The sanctions are great, to a point. But in the end, if the US is dependent on Russia for anything, sanctions buy time. It’s time for us to regain our own security by depending less on Russia and China.
1. Energy independence – the push toward alternative energy is fine as long as it is considered a future goal. Right now, batteries don’t store this energy and thus, can’t help us when the demand is high. And pushing electric cars is nuts. This just puts more strain on an overwhelmed system. Instead, we need to exploit our own resources by restarting the Keystone pipeline, double down on fracking, reopen nuclear power plants (as Europe is doing) and focus on where we have our own oil.
2. Product independence – we need to seek out other ways to supply us with fertilizer and any other products Russia makes. We make some great vodka here, as do many other countries. Hangar One – a local brew – is excellent. Do we really need Stoly? What else can our country provide or source from friendlier nations?
3. Provision our military – there has been an assumption that we need our military less now, but the threats are serious. Aggressive countries back down when they feel they face a prepared nation. With China, Russia and the Middle East acting antagonistically to the rest of the world, we cannot afford to ignore the threat. We also need to end vaccine mandates for our valued troops and end all CRT and other left-wing (and militarily useless) training. Let’s make it more attractive to join so we continue to attract the best.
These are talking points to discuss with your elected officials. For those with a platform, speak to these ideas and support a U-turn in our country’s approach. We can do so much better. Don’t forget elections. This is a time to put in people who understand the global challenges and will ensure the US is prepared to meet them.
Heard that china also owns 200k+ Acres of farmland in the US and I know they aren’t the only foreign principalities that do. We continue to be our own worst enemies.