'Eliminating terrorism is not a realistic goal'

The citizens of the United States of America are approaching another presidential election and also congressional election cycle. One thing that is on their minds is a set of priorities for which most people know there is a limited capacity to address. Where does"terrorism" fit, and how does it relate to other priorities?

In my pending book, How to Select an American President by James George and James Rodger (c) 2016 All Rights Reserved, there is a suggested list. Take a look and tell us if you think we have it right or wrong? How might it be adjusted?

Top 12 priorities

1. Nation secured economically 100%
2. Nation has sustainable economy 100%
3. Nation secured militarily 100%
4. Homeland secured from terrorists 100%
5. Employment opportunities for all who can work 100%
6. Upward mobility for all who are prepared commensurate with ability 100%
7. All persons provided minimum sustainment in the absence of poverty 100%
8. Social Security assured for all qualified persons 100%
9. Clean air and water 100%
10. Best education in the world #1
11. Freest nation in the world #1
12. Lowest crime rate in the world per capita #1

Terrorism is the fourth priority. First is economic security because, without that, there are insufficient funds to provide anything else. Do you realize that at the close of the Bush administration that the U.S. was on the brink of financial meltdown? We almost collapsed as a nation? We are still recovering and have a long way to go.

That is why producing a sustainable economy is the second on the list. Doing that is essential and should be what presidential candidates and prospective members of Congress are addressing.

Third is protecting our economy and nation from foreign attack, while also protecting traveling Americans wherever they are in the world. Is that realistic? Foreign policy that embodies that protection drives 43% of the military budget.

Securing the homeland from terrorists is the fourth priority. We expect to prevent all terrorist attacks. However, we know from an imperfect record that the government has failed to provide that level of protection.

"In rare Pentagon visit, Obama says ISIS is 'inevitably going to be defeated.'
Andrew Tilghman, Military Times 7:04 p.m. EDT August 4, 2016

President Obama made a rare visit to the Pentagon Thursday and said the two-year-old fight against the Islamic State will inexorably lead to victory.

But the commander in chief also warned that sporadic attacks will continue and eliminating terrorism in not a realistic goal. 

“ISIL turns out not to be invincible," Obama said as he listed key military victories of American-backed forces during the past year, including Ramadi and Fallujah. 

"They're, in fact, inevitably going to be defeated," Obama said. 

"But we do recognize, at the same time, that the situation is complex and this cannot be solved by military force alone.” 

Military Times

Also read: The GOP platform, what's in it?http://howtoselectanamericanpresident.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-gop-platform-whats-in-it_28.html

Barack Obama

(Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP)