2-8-07, 3:10 pm
On November 7th 2006, the people demanded an end to the Iraq war, but the Republicans and Bush simply aren't listening.
Earlier this week, Senate Republicans blocked an effort to debate a non-binding resolution that expressed disapproval of Bush's plan to escalate the war in Iraq. Their fear of having this debate shows the importance of that resolution, as weak as it was.
The refusal to allow debate on Bush’s plan to escalate the war also shows that Republican leaders are as afraid of exposing Bush to further criticism as they are of growing public anger over the war.
Meanwhile, Bush has thumbed his nose at the voters and at Congress going forward with his escalation of the war. As we speak hundreds of more people in Iraq, including U.S. troops, are being killed.
Bush also presented a 2008 budget package that proposes a massive increase in military spending, including tens of billions for escalating the Iraq war. At the same time, Bush is demanding cuts in Medicare funding, public education funding cuts, and more.
In other words, Bush wants to close more public schools and force retirees and the disabled to pay in order to have the funds to keep his war going. But he opposes budget plans that will require the richest Americans to pay their fair share of the cost of war. It is sheer class warfare.
Bush has ignored experts who continue to point out that a military solution is not viable in Iraq. Iraqi civilians and U.S. troops are dying in Iraq and our health care and schools are being demolished here just to pay for Bush's war escalation.
Bush doesn't want to be the president who lost Iraq, so he plans to endanger more troops to protect his legacy.
It is time to end the war. What part can you play?
Sign the United for Peace and Justice petition to Congress. Click here to sign the petition online and forward it to everyone on your email list. You can also download the petition to collect signatures in your community.
Visit your members of Congress when they return to their home districts the week of February 19th for recess. Organize lobby visits to or vigils at their offices.
Find out what's being organized in your area for the 4th anniversary of the war in March.
Write letters to the editor, call radio talk shows, write guest editorials for your local paper. Let the media know that you oppose the war, Bush’s escalation, and his request for more funding. Make it clear that you want your representatives in Congress to stand up to Bush. They should oppose escalation and call for funding for safe and speedy withdrawal from Iraq.
