Canceled Check
In "Losing America", Senator Robert Byrd revealed the grim reality which existed in Washington before the Iraq war. He wrote, that prior to the war resolution some senators were almost terrified at the prospect of being labeled "unpatriotic," if they voted against the resolution. He doubted that some members fully comprehended the magnitude of Bush’s grab for power and that Congress was relinquishing its Constitutional authority and responsibility. Byrd's concern was that Bush was given a blank check for the unrestrained use of military power, when Congress surrendered its congressional prerogative to declare war.
Byrd wrote: "Never in my view had America been led by such a dangerous head of state and whose inner circle of advisors basically view Congress with contempt."
Senator Russ Feingold insists: “Congress must use its main power, the power of the purse, to put an end to our involvement in this disastrous war. And I’m not talking here only about the surge or escalation. It is time to use the power of the purse to bring our troops out of Iraq.”
This was done, when Nixon wanted to invade Cambodia and the funding was not allowed. It was done in Somalia in the early ‘90s, when it became clear that the situation wasn’t working. Congress needs to passed a resolution declaring, that by a specific date, funding will be cut off and they’re giving plenty of time to make sure the troops come out safely. There are safe strategies to come out of a war and Congress should be planning with legislation and working with the military for a safe exit from Iraq.
Bush has been wrong on every aspect of this war. He was wrong about the premise that we went into the war on, he was wrong about the idea that there wasn’t a civil war, he was wrong about the fact that our invasion would help both al Qaeda and Iran.
It’s the responsibility of Congress to make up for the fact that Bush took us into the war under false pretenses, and is keeping us there under false pretenses. A war which is devastating to our national security and our military.
Byrd wrote: "Never in my view had America been led by such a dangerous head of state and whose inner circle of advisors basically view Congress with contempt."
Senator Russ Feingold insists: “Congress must use its main power, the power of the purse, to put an end to our involvement in this disastrous war. And I’m not talking here only about the surge or escalation. It is time to use the power of the purse to bring our troops out of Iraq.”
This was done, when Nixon wanted to invade Cambodia and the funding was not allowed. It was done in Somalia in the early ‘90s, when it became clear that the situation wasn’t working. Congress needs to passed a resolution declaring, that by a specific date, funding will be cut off and they’re giving plenty of time to make sure the troops come out safely. There are safe strategies to come out of a war and Congress should be planning with legislation and working with the military for a safe exit from Iraq.
Bush has been wrong on every aspect of this war. He was wrong about the premise that we went into the war on, he was wrong about the idea that there wasn’t a civil war, he was wrong about the fact that our invasion would help both al Qaeda and Iran.
It’s the responsibility of Congress to make up for the fact that Bush took us into the war under false pretenses, and is keeping us there under false pretenses. A war which is devastating to our national security and our military.
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