Why are we in Afghanistan, today?

Like I think most Americans think, the USA had a good reason to go into Afghanistan, especially after the 911 attacks. In my mind there was self defense going on. And I think we Americans did a good job, all in all.

Now it seems the mission has morphed into something like "nation building". Now why that is in our National Interest, I don't know, though I've heard all the various reasons to try get there.

If we want to spend tax money, try doing so on the Cumberland Plateau, for example. Now that is a nation building effort I can understand as to be a good mission. Or just save it for other National Interests.

Or cut down the borrowing rate, assuming we can still borrow into the future.

We Americans are pretty good I think. That extends to our cultural instincts to help others, and even to do military type things. But along the way, some heavy weight type leadership is called for, and that seems to be lacking at so many levels of governments, these days.

Our present President Obama ran on the idea of hope and change. I still like that idea. But also, using his words, it's time for a trade-in, and we in the USA should consider this trade-in idea in how we vote in the future.

The federal Executive is a powerful position, to include those appointed minions. Use your imagination; suppose we elected a lightweight who appointed and hired similar lightweights. This is serious business. One could apply this to the other levels of government, to include the federal legislatures, both the House and the Senate.

Here's an example of serious business. One local Monterey Tennessee boy joined the Marines and has already been over there. Why? After all he has a Mom and Dad and local community in his life, too, who want to feel safe. I don't think he was brought up to be a Nation Builder in Afghanistan.

And I have a former student at GaTech who got mobilized to fill a Agriculture Dept. quota to help on farming in Afghanistan. I am still bitter for two reasons.

One is that he has his own family who also goes in harm's way.
Two is that other Americans would not fill this quota.

So like the title says, why are we in Afghanistan, today?