Three Questions I Would Ask General Petraeus (and the Answers He Should Give)

Statement

Q: Is the War in Iraq making America safer?
A: No.

We have taken our eye off the ball in Afghanistan and Pakistan, allowing al Qaeda to recover. The director of the CIA says the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan presents a "clear and present danger" to the US Homeland.1

Iran's destabilizing influence across the Middle East has expanded dramatically because of the war,2 our ability to work with our allies has been damaged, and our military has been stretched to the point where its ability to adequately meet other national security challenges is in doubt.3

Q: How will you address the growing strain on our military?
A: End the war and bring the troops home responsibly.

One out of every 4 soldiers on their 3rd or 4th tour in Iraq suffer mental health problems4, the suicide rate among soldiers is up dramatically5 and the toll on the families of the 1.7 million soldiers that have been deployed so far continues to build. As General George Casey said, "We just can't keep going at the rate we're going."6

Q: What are we doing to stabilize the political situation in Iraq?
A: The humanitarian and economic crisis must be addressed and diplomatic offensive must be waged to get bring Iraq's neighbors in the region to play a constructive role.

Since the war began as many as a million Iraqis have died7 and another 4-5 million have had to flee their homes. There is no reliable power, no reliable schooling, no reliable health care.8 Unemployment is as high as 60%.9 The United States must address this humanitarian crisis if we hope for political reconciliation in Iraq. In addition, a region-wide diplomatic effort (as recommended by the Iraq Study Group) is a critical element to political stabilization in Iraq.10

Answers to all of these questions are contained in The Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq, a comprehensive set of proposals that progressive Congressional Candidates like myself, Darcy Burner in Washington and Donna Edwards in Maryland developed this winter. Since the Plan's release last month, nearly 50 Democratic Congressional candidates around the country have signed on. The Plan calls for a drawdown of troops to begin immediately, a robust response to the humanitarian crisis in Iraq and a renewed diplomatic effort in the region. The Plan also has proposals to reassert our constitutional protections and restore a balance of power within our government.

Maybe General Petraeus should read the Responsible Plan before he gives his answers. I think I'll send him a copy. You can suggest that he read the Plan, too.

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