AFL-CIO Calls for an End to US Military Involvement in Iraq

In a statement released this past week, the AFL-CIO, the country's largest trade union federation, called for ending US military involvement in Iraq.

The statement pointed out that the results of the 2006 congressional elections were a mandate for a new direction in the war.

Criticizing President Bush's escalation of the war, the statement added that the 'blind pursuit of the war now undermines the very war on terror that was its justification.'

The union called on Bush to reconsider the Iraq Study Group's recommendations for renewed diplomatic efforts with regional powers, a timetable for withdrawal, and restarting the peace process in the Middle East.

In contrast to those few who still believe that a military solution can be found to halt the civil conflict, the AFL-CIO argued 'the U.S. presence only encourages the factions to continue their warfare and serves as a magnet for foreign interference.'

The statement pointed out that more than 3,100 U.S. troops have been killed and almost 30,000 have been wounded, in addition to at least 60,000 and as many as several hundred thousand Iraqis who have died.

The statement reads in part:

'The men and women risking their lives in Iraq come from America’s working families. They are our sons and daughters, our sisters and brothers, our husbands and wives. They have answered their call to duty with the utmost courage and dedication. And the best way now to recognize and honor their service is to take them out of harm’s way.

It is time to bring our military involvement in Iraq to an end.'

Democrats push for withdrawal

Remember when President Bush begged congressional Democrats for alternatives to the current situation in Iraq? Well, Democrats are again offering their opinions and are pushing forward with several Iraq withdrawal plans.

This past week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced the introduction of 'The U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health, and Iraq Accountability Act,' which calls for tying a timetable for withdrawal to a new $100 billion funding package requested by the White House.

The House Democratic plan also increases pressure on the White House to turn security operations over to Iraqi forces, and looks to complete troop withdrawal by September 2008.

The House Democrats' plan would also add billions to provide health care and other benefits for veterans.

A Senate Democratic plan also sets a timetable for withdrawal, would redefine the U.S. military mission in Iraq and rejects the current U.S. role of 'policing a civil conflict' in Iraq.

According to analysis by the Council for a Livable World, the Senate plan sets a target date of March 2008 to conclude the phased withdrawal of most U.S. troops. It currently has 45 co-sponsors, including Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT).

Nearly 7 in 10 Americans want the war to end and the troops to come home.

For their part, some congressional Republican leaders and the White House have already begun to echo the time-worn mantra that a timetable for withdrawal would escalate the violence and they insist on staying the course.

Supporters of withdrawal say that the U.S. presence has provoked the escalating civil conflict and that withdrawal would intensify Iraqi government efforts to control the violence.

For its part, the congressional Progressive Caucus offered a plan to withhold any new funding except for safe and speedy troop withdrawal.

'No Military Solution' Iraq Civil War

In related news, the new US commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, admitted this past week that despite a surge of U.S. troops in Baghdad as part of a security crackdown, attacks and killings have increased.

Most of the attacks are part of Iraq's internal civil strife and unrelated to international terrorism or Al Qaeda.

Petraeus was quoted by the London Times as saying 'there is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq.' In an apparent contradiction of Bush administration policy, Petraeus emphasized the importance of a political solution.

NGLTF calls for additional funding for homeless youth

In domestic news, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is calling on its supporters to ask their congressional representatives for funding increases in youth homeless programs.

The gay and lesbian civil rights organization is specifically calling for increased funding for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act and the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program.

RHYA programs provide critical outreach, shelter and transitional living resources to the nation’s unaccompanied youth. The EHCY program removes barriers to the enrollment, attendance and success of homeless children and youth in school.

Go to for more information and to get involved.

H.R. 676

Have you asked your member of Congress to support passage of H.R. 676, the U.S. National Health Insurance Act? This law would provide single-payer universal health care by expanding Medicare. You can scroll down the front page of PoliticalAffairs.net in the Take Action column to get more information and to send your message today.

Don't forget to look for new items from the print edition of Political Affairs as well. The April issue of the magazine will feature stories on the role of the Internet in US politics by Lawrence Albright and the relationship between war and the crisis of capitalism by Remy Herrera. Thank you.