24 July 2007
Politicians on both sides of the aisle seem to be all talk when it comes to troop withdrawal. Where are the committees discussing how to best move out of Iraq with safety for the troops and for the Iraqis? Why aren’t more pushing for cutting off funds? Congress controls the purse strings but they seem to be covering their asses by only sounding good for the upcoming elections. If they want the troops to come home then bring them home. They have the power to do that. James Madison, father of the constitution described Congress’s control over spending as “the most complete and effectual weapon with which any constitution can arm the immediate representatives of the people, for obtaining a redress of every grievance, and for carrying into effect every just and salutary measure.â€
Bush is still using al-Qaeda as the major “war on terror” factor in Iraq when in actuality, al-Qaeda is at the bottom of the list. the Bush administration is trying to expand its powers beyond all legal justification. As opinion turns against the war, the administration is becoming ever more dismissive of Congress’s role. Under Secretary of Defense Eric Edelman answered Senator Hillary Clinton’s questions about how the Pentagon intended to plan for withdrawal from Iraq with this quote, “Premature and public discussion of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq reinforces enemy propaganda that the United States will abandon its allies in Iraq,†he wrote. This response showed contempt not merely for Congress, but for the system of government the founders carefully created.
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