Iraq Accountability Act: Redeployment Not Withdrawal

Citizens thought they were voting for an anti-war party last November when they elected the Democrats to take over Congress. But, as usual, the American people were deceived yet again. Instead of cutting funds for the Iraq war, including the wider War on Terror, Democrats voted 218-212 on the 'U.S. Troops Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act' to give the Bush administration a generous $100 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan in spite of calling for a withdrawal of troops from Iraq by September 1, 2008.

Calling for a withdrawal from Iraq while doing nothing but funding the war is a contradictory, and potentially destructive, move on the Democrats who were elected precisely to end the Iraq war. The so-called resolution to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq is non-binding, meaning the President has no obligation to end Iraq's misery or end imperialism in the Middle East and Central Asia. That is to say, a progressive withdrawal of troops is not in the administration's favor, which means by the time the deadline arrives, soldiers will more than likely still be where they are today. The Democrats, on the contrary, advocate stationing soldiers at a U.S. military base in Iraq even after the supposed "withdrawal" is to take place. The argument for a military base is to protect against terrorism, negotiations, and training Iraqi Security Forces. Such is a consequence of imperialism.

It is suffice to say, that the Iraq Resolution stands as nothing more than a symbolic message of rhetoric, rather than a direct action to end the war despite Congress' power. In choosing not to use their congressional power to end the war, the Democrats are, in a sense, exceeding power over the people by not heeding to growing demands to withdraw troops. The Democrats, especially the ones running for president, must realize the implications of emulating the Bush administration if they expect to win in November 2008.

The Democratic party appears to have similar interests in the Middle East as the Republicans. Nancy Pelosi, Democratic House leader, believes that the U.S. should focus its energy on Afghanistan, where she believes the heart of the War on Terrorism is, by increasing funds and troops. Likewise, Pelosi believes the military needs strengthening in order to continue preserve its stance as a global power and continue occupying states in the Middle East and Central Asia. The resolution gives Bush a new freedom to attack Iran without Congressional consent, that leaves the Democrats to achieve their goals without verbally approving them to the public. Nonetheless, Nancy Pelosi never concealed her support for the war. In 2002, she adamantly stated that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction on NBC's Meet the Press, "There's no question about that," she said.

Not all Democrats in Congress have a neo-conservative outlook on the war. The Out of Iraq Caucus in the House of Representatives, compromised of 73 Democratic Congress members, advocates the complete withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. The caucus held a massive protest in March, demanding an end to the war. If politicians aren't going to end the war, then we, the people, should end the war ourselves.

Apathy is a weakness of American culture especially among the students and workers, who are actually a very powerful force. People who declare they are against the war and occupation while not actively participating in ending it, are passively supporting it (and not just with tax dollar!) just like the politicians in congress. A mass antiwar movement is needed to, not only pressure Congress to end the war, but show politicians that no matter how much power they try to impose over the people, it is the people who have the most power. For an effective antiwar movement, millions are needed to participate- that means students and workers ought to go on strike to protest on the streets until the war is over. Such a protest must be anti-violent, and remain committed to ending the war whether it takes days, weeks, or months. This is the most effective approach to ending the war, as well as the most vivacious expression of power of the people.