Poll: Public Rejects Using Military Force to Promote Democracy

[sabra]

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=54267

Poll: Public Rejects Using Military Force to Promote Democracy; Rejects Democratization as Rationale for Iraq War

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by the Program on International Policy Attitudes:

A new poll finds a majority of Americans reject the idea of using military force to promote democracy. Only 35 percent favored using military force to overthrow dictators. Less than one in five favored the US threatening to use military force if countries do not institute democratic reforms.

-- Public Not Convinced Democracy Makes World Safer or Counters Terrorism, But Favors Cooperative, Diplomatic Methods for Promoting Democracy and Speaking out on Human Rights

The effort to promote democracy in Iraq is generating little enthusiasm. Seventy-four percent (including 60 percent of Republicans) said that the goal of overthrowing Iraq's authoritarian government and establishing democracy was not a good enough reason to go to war. Seventy-two percent said that the experience has made them feel worse about the possibility of using military force to bring about democracy in the future. Sixty-four percent (65 percent of Republicans) are ready to accept an Iraqi constitution that does not fully meet democratic standards, and once the constitution is ratified 57 percent want to start withdrawing troops.

[myrna minx]

1. Why do a majority of Americans hate America?

:sarcasm: This is a great read. This is the America that I knew was here all along. I'm so grateful that our fellow country-folks agree with our liberal principals. Changing the reasons for the war every other day is not good leadership. "Liberate Iraq" my ass. Bu$h's fubar has opened many eyes. People do not like to be played, and I feel that most Americans now feel played for a fool.

[sabra]

2. Iraq is a very sour topic for most Americans these days

the question is what will the future unfold...

[dchill]

14. Why?

Because America IS as America DOES. Invade, torture, steal, lie...

[Peachhead22]

3. "Promoting democracy"

...is the Department of State's job. The military's job is to kick-ass.

[htuttle]

4. BREAKING: "Americans say War is not Peace"

Uh, oh. I bet they cut the choco-ration over this...

[snippy]

5. Democrats need to emphasize that it was a terrible mistake to abandon

the Powell Doctrine concerning the use of military force. This should be a major issue in 2006 and 2008.

[Tyler Durden]

6. You do realize, this is MEANINGLESS.

Bush and the Republican Party as a group are the "New Stalinists," and to paraphrase Uncle Joe, THEY COUNT THE VOTES.

I won't even begin to document here the PLETHORA of election thefts, frauds and other con games; I will only state that America in General (via the "ballot box") sez "who the FUCK cares?"

Every Republic reaches its extreme challenge at to whether it will evolve to the next stage (whatever that may be) or face dissolution. So far, it's been dissolution or EMPIRE.

So this is defeatist and depressing. Hey, some of us have been screaming for so long, we can't scream anymore. All we can do is duck and cover, and wish those with youth and stamina GOOD FUCKING LUCK.

[MADem]

7. Hey, I am not young and I do not have my old stamina

...but I am NOT about to give up.

In fact, the events of late have further energized me.

It won't be easy, but it can be done. It isn't meaningless at all.

[Tyler Durden]

10. I no longer have your enthusiasm or stamina.

It is 38 YEARS since 1967 and the birth of my political conscience. Whether you see it or not, all I see is a long, maddening march to failure. We are the "New Romans," and our Empire and eventual dissolution is at hand. Either that, or the decimation of the Human Race at the hand of the next Pandemic thanks to US greed regarding the 3rd world.

I'm taking my family and I'm heading for the hills; I'm not even telling them that's why we're going: I'm just DOING it.

I do wish you luck. I don't think it will help, though, unless you immediately adopt the tactics of the enemy: then you have a small chance.

[MADem]

12. Wow, you seem very depressed

I see the glass as really half full now--for a while there, it was slightly less, but people are finally waking up. It took three buck a gallon gas to start to move their little brain cells, but at last people are making the connections, and seeing wars, deficits, poor people in our streets, suffering, and putting the blame where it belongs--on this screwed up maladministration.

None of my GOP neighbors and acquaintances are singing the monkey's praises anymore. Many are admitting that they backed the wrong horse. That is hopeful, IMO. And it smells a lot like it did back in the day when Vietnam ended and Nixon got tossed out on his ass. You'd think Dickie and Rummy would feel it, they were working in the Nixon WH back then...

[0rganism]

17. Any awakening brought about by $3/gallon gasoline...

...can be nullified by $1.99/gallon gasoline.

It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see the bushistas cut a deal that drops the price to the sub-$2 mark in July and use that as a bragging point for the mid-term elections.

[MADem]

30. Doubt it

Any reductions will cut into their profit. They have already announced that "we" should be prepared for a fifteen percent increase. Now, if they boost the price forty five cents, and then cut it back by say, twenty cents, they will call that a victory. That is a bullshit victory, a victory for the profiteers, IMO.

But the bottom line is, under Clinton, I filled my tank for ten bucks. That ain't happenin' here, no mo'.

[mirrera]

11. I have lost my voice trying...

I feel the same way. OF COURSE AMERICANS DON'T want to use force! One can only be surprised if one believes these mysterious upsets or wins by the republicans (Diebold loves Republicans) were the will of the people. It all makes sense if people will open themselves up to the idea that we have a bunch of CHEATERS AND LIERS in the government. Election fraud is our future...it is the issue...everything else is blah blah blah that keeps us busy. No more machines. Paper ballots hand counted by the people with many witnesses. Take longer skip the TV extravagansa...and find out the REAL will of the people. These people are governing without my consent.


http://NoBullshiRt.com

[tainowarrior]

8. Good.

Americans are learning their lesson. Permit me, a foreigner, the right to feel a little vindicated. Nothing like seeing ignorant/apathetic/war consenting Americans change their minds after seeing the costs of their warmongering to make me break out a smile.

No offense to my fellow DUers. I know you guys belong to the 50% reality community who was always opposed to this conflict, but as for the other 50%, I hope reality stings you hard.

[Autonomy]

9. The whole idea of "promoting" something through the military

besides killing has always been ridiculous.

[calimary]

13. What, you don't like democracy forced down other people's throats

with the barrel of a gun? Whatza matter wichoo?

Hard to figure, however, whether we're forcing democracy down their throats in Iraq - or forcing it up their asses. Either way, it's FORCED. The very idea of democracy seems to me as something one would be naturally drawn to, something one would not have to be forcibly convinced to adopt - against his/her will. Where I come from, that sort of imposition of force is called rape.

I'm glad to see this, too. And to our non-American friend in this thread - I apologize for the assholes in my country who have gone along with this, with unquestioning minds, and have been sold a bill of goods - or rather - BADS. Every time I see something like this, or read another DUer's post about the Republicans in his/her neighborhood or office who, like bush, have lost their swagger (or preferably, abandoned it) I have mixed feelings - gratified to see this, but at the same time it makes me think back to all the war protests I attended, and to which I took my kids, all the letters and emails I wrote, all the phone calls I made, all the lobbying and arguing I did with my own friends who just blindly worshipped bush, and how it reminded me of talking to a brick wall. And it wasn't just me, either. SO MANY others here, and beyond just this site, tried desperately to stop the war before it started, and we failed. I feel guilt about that every day, wondering if there wasn't SOMETHING MORE I could have done...

But it doesn't leave me so downhearted that I wanna give up. As long as there are people like bush, cheney, rummy, libby, feith, contradicta, norquist, gingrich, delay, and all the rest of 'em, I sleep better knowing that I remain here to object as strongly as possible, and to make it just that much harder for them to get their way. I am here to be an impediment. I am here to be a little stone in their path that they trip over, or one that gets knocked into their shoes while they walk, so it's painful for them. And the more of us there are, the more difficult it will be for them to walk an easy path. If I can't stop them outright, at least I can frustrate and impede their progress and get in their way and make trouble for them. In fact, sometimes in off moments, as I note the nervous smile on delay's face, or the gin blossoms blooming on bush's cheeks, or the bigger-and-bigger bags under his eyes, I take a bit of comfort in thinking maybe I helped put them there.

[Sparkman]

15. no MAYBE about it, the ONLY defense against war mongers/profiteer-protest

It's the LIGHT of truth and history's lessons that sends em runnig for the cover of propaganda, media censorship & cooperation. Cause they got the money, which is why they do it in the 1st place and are able to pull it off in secret in the 2nd.
I forget a term I heard today for media manipulation, on Pacifica, Amy Goodman I think.
The L.A. protest last weekend was a sustaining day of therapy for me & my kin.
in the words of Charles W. Morgan, persevere!

[AX10]

16. You cannot promote democracy through war.

War aims to force the aggressors viewpoint onto someone else. That is NOT democracy!

[bemildred]

18. Dim awareness of the boneheadedness of the situation in Iraq filters in.

Meanwhile people continue to die in bunches for nothing.
:banghead::banghead:

[Imagevision]

19. They don't want democracy?-We'll cram it down their ungreatful throats

if necessary, how dare they take away our premise to get at that OIL damn them...!

[Judi Lynn]

20. Poll: Americans Doubt Exporting Democracy

Poll: Americans Doubt Exporting Democracy

By WILL LESTER
Associated Press Writer
September 29. 2005 3:43PM

The American public has doubts about whether the Bush administration policy of promoting democracy internationally will make the world a safer place.

A poll done at the University of Maryland found that just over a fourth, 28 percent, say they think the world is safer when there are more democracies, while more than twice as many, 68 percent, say democracy may make life better within a country but does not make the world safer.

The poll, released Thursday, was conducted by the university's Program on International Policy Attitudes was done in association with the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations.

PIPA director Steven Kull said the poll indicates most people have not bought into President Bush's contention that "promoting democracy is a critical means for fighting terrorism and making the world safer."
(snip/...)

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050929/APA/509290969
(Free registration required)

On edit: DU'er Pam-Moby has found the site is allowing non-registered readers on this story.

[marmar]

21. How can you export democracy...

when you don't practice it at home? It's like an alcoholic telling the chainsmoker he has an unhealthy lifestyle!

:shrug:

[Pam-Moby]

22. You said free registration required,

Well the link you attached must be viewing under your id them. Because it works and shows the article.

[Judi Lynn]

23. Good!Thanks for the info.I added a note to the post to inform DU'ers. n/t

[Pam-Moby]

24. Sure.

[UpInArms]

25. You mean to tell me that you can't "spread democracy" like

you do peanut butter?

Hell, the idiotsonofanutjob said it would be easy and it would actually pay for itself with the revenues from their oilfields and everyone would throw flowers and candy at us and kiss out butts!

But, it would seem that now all they want to do is kick our asses out of their country :crazy:

:sarcasm:

[IndyJones]

26. Democracy is earned, not given. Those who want it must

spill their own blood for it. The US cannot give any other country "democracy".

Five years from now, Iraq will not be a democracy. They'll be spitting at us; not thanking us.

[RaleighNCDUer]

27. I don't know. It might be a democracy

if we get the hell out of there and let them work it out themselves. The longer we stay, the less chance of Iraq becoming a democracy.

[IndyJones]

31. True...right after their own civil war.

[LynnTheDem]

28. It was a "DEMOCRACY" that INVADED and OCCUPIED

a nation that had been doing NOT A DAMN THING WHATSOEVER to anyone.

OBVIOUSLY democracies DO NOT make the world safer. Ask any of the 2200 dead troops or 150,000 dead Iraqis.

[cassiepriam]

29. We aren't even willing to fight for a democracy here in the US ...nt