President Bush just received another blank check from Congress to continue the war in Iraq. It is now almost a certainty that he will have all the funding necessary to continue the war for the duration of his presidency.
And while we are bogged down in Iraq with 165,000 troops on the ground, terror cells throughout the world still plot to attack us. Our overwhelming presence of ground forces in Iraq has done nothing to prevent this. All the recent attempts by terrorists on our homeland did not come out of Iraq. So we just wasted another $70 billion on a war that has already been won militarily and is not making us safer here at home.
All the tough talk from Congressional Democrats about accountability and ending the war just went right out the window. It is a devastating blow to folks like myself who have been out there fighting for exactly what we were promised when we elected Democrats as the majority party, an end to the war.
Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi, to their credit, opposed the war funding. I believe in their "heart of hearts" they seriously want an end to the war. My opinion on this matter comes from numerous first hand encounters with them regarding the war.
In a recent statement, Speaker Pelosi stated:
"I cannot support spending billions more in Iraq with no strings attached, particularly in the same week that the President said we cannot afford to fund basic priorities here at home, such as the education of our children, and increased investment in medical research and hiring more police officers on the street."Speaker Pelosi is correct. We can not adequately address the real issues that matter most to Americans such as jobs, health care, global warming, the economy, and poverty when all of our political energy in Washington is being wasted on Iraq, along with billions of tax payer dollars.
However, the inability to unite the Democratic party is a serious detriment to the party's efforts to move forward on these critical issues.
As I stated when I walked away from the status quo anti-war lobbying groups, the reason why the Republicans keep prevailing on war funding legislation is because "they would follow George W. Bush to the gates of hell." They are strong & united while the Democrats are divided into multiple factions with different positions that they can not all agree upon.
Rahm Emanuel commented on the failure of Congress to halt a blank check for war funding -- "I'm not going to let a lot of hard work go unnoticed, but I'm not going to hand out party hats either."
Fair enough, but Rahm Emanuel, like he always does, voted for the war funding, and people are dying. The Democrats have made strong and substantial progress on domestic issues, but the lives of our troops and the Iraqi people supersede any unnoticed hard work from the Congress.
Most shocking is that all the Democrats running for President didn't even vote. Call me crazy, but if I were running for president, and wanted the support of the Democratic base, I would have been "front and center" voting against the blank check.
Half of the Democrats in the Senate voted for the funding along with similar numbers in the House of Representatives.
I regularly attend rallies, meetings, and demonstrations that oppose the war in Iraq. What I am finding out is that the people who voted for Democrats in 2006 are completely walking away from the party in 2008. They feel betrayed by those who they elected to end the war but failed to deliver.
This is a very serious and imminent problem facing the Democrats in 2008.
The people tell me "I will NOT be fooled again and I will NOT vote for the lesser of two evils."
As a strong Democrat, and someone who is strongly opposed to the Iraq war, I recognize and share their frustrations. We should not have to plead with our members of Congress and shame them into doing the right thing. But if we walk away from our party now we will only ensure Republican victory in 2008. The results of that will perpetuate the war in Iraq and that is not an acceptable alternative. We will continue to keep losing lives -- and that is what we are ultimately trying to stop.
What we need to do is identify the members of our party who are voting with Bush on the war and find a way to remove them in primary elections. It may not happen in 2008 due to lack of time to prepare strong primary campaigns, but in 2010, despite whoever controls the White House, these members of Congress who we trusted should be held accountable. They no longer deserve a place in our party when they continue to keep voting with Bush.
Now here is the question:
Why should we walk away from our party because of bad apples? Together we can bring in a fresh bunch (of Democrats) that will end the war and do right by the American people. We can take our party back. We are the people of this country and we have the power to do it.
My message to the Democratic party is simple: SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT. If you will not serve the people we will find others who will.
John Bruhns
Iraq Veteran
PS. I wrote this as a "strong Democrat" who recognizes the need for a strong reform movement in the Democratic party.
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
Anyone who knows me knows I'm with Edwards, here is just glimpse of why I am supporting Edwards 100%
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
On Iraq: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
- JB
I've read all the comments and it's a bit scary.
If the votes are shared in a triangular way, with disappointed-by-democrats voters choosing an independant or leftier candidate, then the conservatives might win again.
Sometimes when voting it's more useful to vote for a less perfect candidate than to allow a worst one to win.
392 days to go before your new president takes charge. Please don't give America, the world, and the future generations another 4 years of terrible human, ecological, and economical mismanagement !
John,
The current conservatives act in unity, because they are experienced politicians, with all the negative connotations implied.
The tragedy of 9/11 happened. Americans needed a healer. Unfortunately opportunists were (and still are) in charge.
Now American citizens are hurt. They doubt their abilities, they're frightened, they don't believe in themselves as the people from the nation of liberty, democracy, open-minded education, knowledge, freedom to enterprize.
American citizens have got the feeling that they are doomed. They don't dare to ask for a drastic change.
They haven't healed, and they're low spirited. Corpses, maimed bodies, keep coming back from Iraq, the dollar is low, economy is not in good shape. They accept these failures as a fatality, because their current leaders lie, tell them not to react, and try to make them avoid to face and fight the problems. American citizens are wrongly treated like irresponsible stupid children.
However Americans are neither irresponsible, nor stupid. They are wonderful great people who have endless possibilities once they set themselves together behind a great president.
Americans have always made great soldiers. They can also be great citizens. They only need a leader to show them the light, to restore their self esteem and their optimism, to set high goals for his citizens, spiritual high goals rather than tell them to go to the mall.
There's no such thing as fatality in your country. There are many currents running, like the one you yourself are making run and work, John, and one day all these currents will coalesce and give birth to a restored united America with the values and strengths for which we foreigners have always loved, admired, and envied you.
Little streams add up to the point of becoming a huge river. Thanks, John, for having the courage and the faith to add your personal part to the river. I have much faith in the future thanks to guys like you.
John, you are wonderfully gracious to respond personally to each comment posted. Yeah, I noticed.
We have common dreams for the betterment of all Americans, and my dearest hope (aside from my Canadian friends's forgiveness and love), is that we realize we need to care for our most vulnerable first: our children, elderly, and veterans. As we tend to them, we must also tend to the most vulnerable throughout the world, and of course, to the one thing supporting all of humanity - Mother Earth.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, and a New Year filled with Peace.
~Kristine
John -
I believe that a lot of sincere progressives such as you have been brainwashed into believing that we MUST have a Democratic party, for all the reasons you mention in your blog.
There IS another line of thought - that the Democratic party has outlived it's usefulness, and needs to be entirely scrapped and replaced by something new and different.
The problem with the kind of incremental change you advocate is that it leaves the essential power structures intact - with their corporatist tendencies.
As long as we have that, the dems are just repub-lites...whether you like it or not.
A new, populist based party - something on the order of what not-so-crazy Ralph Nader has been advocating - would be what we needed in order to make real progress at home and abroad, passing comprehensive legislation in the areas of health care, climate management, education, energy management, etc.
And of course, a truly populist party would get us out of unfortunate militaristic excesses like Iraq, simply by withholding money as Dennis Kucinich has long advocated.
Trying to separate the sheep from the goats in the party is difficult, if not impossible. The entrenched structure won't permit it, and most of the congress has dirty hands already.
That's why there is precious little to show for the '06 elections, even though the dems are in control of BOTH houses.
What we need is not some short term tactics, but a long term strategic vision that will set the course of the 21st century. Said another way, we need a new New Deal...a true shuffling of the deck...a replacement of old paradigm thinking with something new and better.
John,
I haven't time right now to read and comment, because I have family visiting and I've got to cook a huge Christmas meal.
I just want to wish you a very happy Christmas, John.
No one deserves to have joy and happiness as much as you do.
Thank you, John. Happy Christmas to you and to your family, and to all the people you love, who love you, and who support you.
I've made this comment before on this site. The Democrats control what bills come to the floor for a vote, they control the committee chairs, and the agenda. Therefore, they can simply demand the President present his plan for ending our occupation of Iraq. That can mean a timeline, a phased withdrawal, whatever....some kind of plan before any war funding bill will be presented for a vote. The President and the Republicans will then rail against the Democrats as not supporting the troops, how the Democrats want the Terrorists to win, they will lay off Pentagon workers, etc., and the public will of course buy it. That means the Dems will have no choice but to hunker down and endure the political shitstorm that ensues and quite possibly lose the Whitehouse in 08'. Which they may anyway. They are just not willing to risk it.
As much as I detest the current administration, I was repulsed by Senator Reid's appearance on the Lehr Report Friday 12/21.
I think I am offeded more by Pelosi and Reid than I am by Bush and Co.
Bush is what he is, but these spineless, calculating wimps are an offense to the constitution they profess to support and defend.
I suggest everyone read the text of HR 1955.
It may come to change what is allowed on blogs
such as this one. Another attempt to silence
those who try to defend the Constitution.
Hear that?! It is the sound of wet noodles hitting the wall. It is the Dem theme song.
Do you hear the sound of wet noodles hitting the wall? That is the Dem theme song!!
Here is an issue which the Republican nominee will keep throwing at the Democratic nominee no matter who that is.
With regards to the war in Iraq the salient issue is not whether the presidential candidate wants to continue the war or end it soon but is accountability for the thousands of dead and tens of thousands of maimed Americans from the war in Iraq. How do you justify these human expenditures Mr/Mrs candidate? Most Republican candidates aver that the casualties were/are a regrettable consequence of "making our country safer". I do not buy this mantra, but at least they do have one against which I can fight.
There is a strong segment of the "anti-war movement" to which I do not belong, which holds that only the members of the Bush administration, past and present, plus those Senators who voted for the Iraq resolution in 2001 are accountable for our dead and wounded soldiers. Now, how about the "Paymasters"? Are they not just as accountable for what has been called the "greatest diplomatic and military disaster in the history of the United States" at least after the summer of 2002 when it became crystal clear that the country had been tricked into war with Iraq?
You cannot be "anti-war" and allow the "Paymasters" to go scot-free. Sure, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Biden all were "Paymasters" but so was Obama. Now, if you are really serious about "change" you cannot allow any Democratic "Paymaster" become president or vice-president of the United States. How would he/she differ in this respect from the Republican wannabe?
The Republican nominee will keep attacking Senator Obama if he becomes the Democratic nominee with: "Sir, stop bitching about the war in Iraq; you were one of its Paymasters. What will you say to the families and friends of the tens of thousands of dead and wounded soldiers in your acceptance speech if you become our next president"? Well, Obama-baby, what would you say to them? Sorry that you voted funds for Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld?
John,
Is there a list of acceptable dems and ones' to get rid of somewhere?
If Pelosi was serious about ending the war, she would have brought articles of impeachment against the criminals Bush and Cheney.
John, I share your same sentiments about the Iraq war. That was the platform they ran and won on with hard work from people like yourself.
I am happy you have found a candidate in John Edwards that you trust, but I have actually found my outlet and hope to end this war in Congressman Ron Paul's presidential campaign. Even though he is a Republican, I find strategically he is the best choice. You have to ask yourself, who would end the war faster if elected Ron Paul or Hillary/Obama? (I think Edwards may have the guts to do it, but I find his odds longer than Ron Paul's)
I hope the Democrats can pick a true antiwar leader for president, but the chances are getting slimmer by the day. By the time the primaries hit my state on Feb. 5th I'll be picking the most honest voice that will bring 'em home.
Dear John,
I think the part of your article about none of the Democratic presidential candidates having the courage to vote speaks volumes about what is wrong with the party today. If a person wants to be president, yet doesn't have the guts to stand up for his convictions, then what good is he? "The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who remain neutral."
Thank you for your article and for your participation with the readers. I want to extend to you and your family, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Our Democratic Leaders cannot get it done for 1 simple reason. The media. They know if they vote against funding the Corporate fascist media will smear,spin and lie.
All Democratic groups need to focus on FCC rules,reinstate the Fairness Doctrine,support Keith Olbermann on MSNBC SO WE CAN EDUCATE THE PUBLIC WITH THE TRUTH.
I don't see much hope of reforming the Democratic Party. The are entwined and entrenched with big business interests. Elected Democrats seem only to get "leadership" and backing by toadying up for those lobbys. Why do we have such pathetic leadership in Congress as Reid and Pelosi? Better, more representative of the people were considered (wasn't Dodd one? He's at least started muttering the "I" word.) Instead we have leaders in Congress who have done more to represent cooperate interests than citizens.
I think it will take the rise of more political parties to break the habit of cooperate pandering. Having more than two significant parties would also go a long way to ridding all parties of their extremist members.
I'm utterly disgusted with the Democrats. They got a majority, then failed to play hardball with Republican obstructionism. They've maligned and derided Democrats trying to do the right thing (Kucinich!), which if they got on board- would GET them incredible support! As a voter, I'm not asking for complete success, I just want them to make a serious try- but, oh darn, that's take a spine and a pair of round ones..
I would bet much that if the Democrats start Impeachment proceedings and real independent investigations, just get it rolling, they would sweep Nov 08. It is not divisive- most people I know, even right leaning ones- CRAVE true justice and true application of the Constitution.
Why do the Democrats want so desperately to fail?
I forgot: watch Keith Olberman (the latest): One year in the making from this evening 12/21:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/22350014#22350014
Dear john, another good one from you Thanks!
As you know I am one of those who say:"I will NOT be fooled again and I will NOT vote for the lesser of two evils." If only Kucinich, Richardson and Gravel could run as independents they would get more votes that people can imagine. Well, at least kucicnich and Richardson as Gravel has been totally dismissed by the Media hores! What infuriates me is that none of the "stars" candidates speak about accountability! Yet they would be the first ones to yell "MURDER" if one of their neighbors killed one of their owns. The denial is a murder in itself. I am so disgusted that I am seriously thinking to move back to Europe. and again, things are not so glamourous there eiher!
Dear John,
First, let me thank you for serving in Iraq. I know a chaplain who is going over soon, and I hope he stays safe as he ministers the troops.
Second, thank you for your tireless activism. I won't give up, but as a lifelong Democrat I feel betrayed.
As for this funding vote: I was stunned that the Dems didn't stand their ground and once again gave in to the squatters in the White House (I'm sorry, but I view the current President/VP as such -- they don't rightly belong in the People's House).
On the roll call itself, I take exception to your statement: "Most shocking is that all the Democrats running for President didn't even vote." You go on to list everyone in Congress except Dennis Kucinich. Why is that? And frankly, he rarely misses a vote (and you're aware of his voting record on the Iraq War, yes?) -- in fact, he did have a very good reason for not being in the HofR: his youngest brother died this week, and the service is tomorrow (Saturday). Why didn't the others vote, I wonder?
You wrote: "Call me crazy, but if I were running for president, and wanted the support of the Democratic base, I would have been 'front and center' voting against the blank check." I absolutely agree!!!
Also, you've just described Dennis Kucinich.
~Kristine
Personally, I just can't figure out how people
believe in the Bush policy. Do the memebers of
Congress take time to really pay attention to
what happens, and what is said around them?
We have 2 investigations into CIA alleged torture tapes, a President that says he knew
nothing, an AG who supports whatever he is told
to support, and a national debt that may never
be paid off. Iraqi goverment made up of people
that Bush approved of, but who do not have a
clue how to run a country. And caught in an
endless revolving door, are troops who have
served with everything they have. To ice the
cake, we have no way of knowing if we will be
in a new war, a real one, after January. I
am a little scared, a lot frustrated and
hopefull that Congress will wake up!
An ABC-TV outlet in Houston, and now the Houston Chronicle,...
The McCain campaign implied on Wednesday that Barack Obama's commitment...
***UPDATED BELOW*** During a CBS interview on Tuesday, John McCain made...
John McCain made a mistake this evening, which as far as...
There is one more John McCain gaffe that...
BERLIN -- On what used to be the East German side of the Brandenburg Gate, Linnea and...
Before the largest crowd of his campaign, Democratic presidential contender Barack...
When Katie Couric told Haaretz that "The glory days of TV news...
BARCELONA, Spain — Christian Bale swept into Barcelona on Wednesday night to attend a...
If you're wondering about the recent articles claiming that a study found...
HOUSTON — A "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico off...
WASHINGTON — Rescue legislation sailed through the House on Wednesday aimed at...
Loading comments…
Posted December 21, 2007 | 02:21 PM (EST)