On the same side

It has become very clear that GW Bush and Al Qaeda are on the same side.  They both want us to remain in Iraq.  It's the perfect irony. 

While the leaders of Al Qaeda that state their mission is to drive the infidels from the Promised Land, their actions in Iraq indicate that their true motives are to keep American presence in Iraq in order to promote hate and recruit members and future martyrs.  They know the more violence they create, the more reason they are giving their enemy, Bush, reason to stay.  They understand how American presence in the region only services to fuel the hatred of Americans and theirs is a war based on hate. 

GW Bush has stated that he intends to put Americans lives at risk, as targets for this hate.  He started this war for his own personal vendetta and he is continuing this war for his own personal reasons.  This is no different than the war Osama Bin Laden started for his own personal reasons. 

It has been said that there is nothing we can do.  I disagree.  There are safeguards in the Constitution that address this matter.  The GOP and the Democrats appear to be at a logjam regarding this matter.  But there is a way that they can be on the same side.  They can put their personal political agendas aside (unlike Bush) and work together for the good of the American lives that are in the line of fire.  Most people do not believe that Congress has the will to do this.  But perhaps for the first time, there is a way, for both sides of the aisle to work together in a WIN-WIN situation and be on the same side…..the side of saving brave American lives. 

I suggest that both houses of Congress come together and pass the FINAL IRAQ BILL!  This bill proposes the following 10 steps to ending Bush's war.

1)95% of all troops currently in Iraq will come home no later than December 24, 2008.  The rest will stay behind to secure American interests in the Green Zone…such as embassy, etc.

2) No military personnel will be allowed to serve more than 2 tours in Iraq. 

3) Those that have been there the longest will come home the soonest

4) Funds will be provided for the good Israeli flack jackets and bomb proof humvees to be EXPEDITED TO IRAQ ASAP!

5) Purpose of the troops currently in Iraq is to arm and train local militias to fight Al Qaeda once we leave.

6) Arm and train Iraqi military to protect Iraqi infrastructure once we leave.

7) Start withdrawing American contractors and replacing foreign workers with Iraqi workers. 

8) Finish all projects currently under construction

9) Divide Iraq into 5 states. Each state can have own gov’t with duly elected Federal representation.

10) Divide all Oil revenue between equally between each state.

Doing this will accomplish everything that Bush and his cronies have failed to accomplish. 

a) Protect our troops from being blown to smithereens.

b) Give tangible goals and time lines for completion.  (Without goals and timelines projects are nothing but a black hole of catastrophe…an infinite hole for shoveling money and lives.

c) Train and arm Iraqis to defend their country from foreign invaders such as Al Qaeda

d) Give viable political solution to a theological based conflict within the country.

Imagine how different this election will be if we don't have to talk about Iraq!   The next president, regardless of who he or she is, regardless of what party they represent, should not have to deal with Bush's war.  Congressional candidates can debate important issues such as immigration and health care and global warming instead of constantly bickering about Iraq.  Imagine.  We could actually have a positive debate and election for the first time in decades. 

Now the problem isn't that the Democrats aren't trying to accomplish the feat of bringing home the troops.  But they can't do it without the cooperation of the GOP because Bush has made it abundantly clear that he intends to proceed as he pleases according to his own personal agenda versus the agenda of the American people.  He doesn't even care about his own party.  Because he intends to leave this mess for whomever, Republican or Democrat, that secedes him.  So it is to the GOP's advantage for the first time since 1992 to work in cooperation with the Democrats. 

But that's still not enough because without a strategy, these guys have proven that they don't have the backbone to stand up to the GOP Bushie machinery that runs the Republican Party.  They have proven that it is easier to resign and go into private life and make the really big bucks, than to stand up against the arm twisting machinery that insists they support the failed policies of this man.   We need to call upon people like Chuck Hagel and John Warner to be leaders of the Republican Party and stand up against the Bushies in the name of saving American lives.  Do they want to be the ones to tell some little boy or girl that their mommy or daddy died because they were too proud to bring them home!  The list of these people in both Houses is growing larger every week.  We must call upon these people to stand up and be counted with over 70% of BOTH the American people and the Iraqi people who want our troops out of Iraq.

Next, we must appeal to the conscious of those in the Senate on the GOP side of the aisle who are not up for reelection in 2008.  By the time these Senators are up for reelection, this war will be over and the American public's attention spam will be focused on economic problems like health insurance or losing their homes.  These Senators also will be left to work with the next president whoever that might be.  OK, guys, in the name of saving American lives, you have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO LOSE by crossing over and joining THE AMERICAN PEOPLE in finding a solution to Bush & Cheney's mess.  Either you are on their side (Bush and Cheney) or you are on our side (The American people).  It no longer has to do with politics.  It has to do with the future of our country and our military. 

Lastly, we must apply pressure to those who seek reelection in 2008.  We must inform them that if they can not listen to and work for the will of their constituents, they won't have a job in 2008.   That is the real power that we hold.  If they won't come down off their high horse of being right, and join the Democrats and the American people to end Bush's mess, then they should be replaced as they are no longer doing their job representing the will of the people.  THIS IS THE TRUE POWER WE HOLD AS AMERICANS!

Now I realize there will be that 30% that will side with Bush and his loyal Bushie fan base.  These people are ENABLED by those in Congress who fail to act for the good of America.  WE NEED TO STOP THE ENABLING AND DO THE RIGHT THING EVEN IF IT IS HARD TO DO!  30% is not enough to stop the will of the people.  If Congress won't listen to our voice, then in 2008 we have a choice to make and make it we will.  Because whether we are Republican, Democrat, Indepents, etc. we are still Americans.   And if we don’t participate in the process and require these politicians to listen to the will of the people, then our country will be lost to those who would seek to control everything in our lives including our liberty.