How do we register our discontent if Congress votes for more $$ for Iraq?

[babylonsister]

How can we combat that? Does anyone have any suggestions? Petitions?

[BluegrassDem]

1. Pulling money for Iraq would be a huge political mistake

We would be on the defensive and be bombarded with accusations of not supporting the troops and leaving them defenseless. That wouldn't be true of course, but that would be the accusations. That's not a way to start the '08 campaigns. If we did, we could lose the Congress and quick as we won it.

[EST]

2. Why the hell do we need to win congress if we won't do the

right thing when we get it?

[babylonsister]

3. I don't happen to agree. If * is going to get away with whatever he wants,

I'd like to see him try to do it without money. The majority of Americans are sick of this war, our deficit, our dead and maimed. If not approving a new bill for more war is authorized, Americans might applaud. It could also be viewed as protecting troops if the pull-out starts sooner rather than later.

[hijinx87]

4. indeed, it is an unbelievably thorny issue

if the Congressional dems defeat the funding bill, they probably get nailed
exactly as you say. if they vote for the wrong bill in order to fund
it, then the congressional democrats are suddenly complicit (on some level or
other) in this whole ungodly mess.

this will take legislative skills of the first order.

it seems to me the solution is to vote in favor of funding legislation
only if it contains concrete dates for troop draw down, and ultimate
removal.

that way we end this disaster without giving the rethugs a club to beat us
with in 2008.

[MadHound]

5. Oh geez, more political posturing while innocents die.

Look, if we followed that advice, we will wind up staying in Iraq for many more years. This very same sentiment is what helped to drive the Vietnam war on for so long. You can't play politics with the lives of thousands upon thousands of innocents:shrug: You simply can't. Will it cost the party politically, I don't know. But quite frankly with people on all sides dying due to this absurb war, we don't have the luxury, or the moral authority to sacrifice others' lives for political gain, we simply don't. How do you tell a parent that their son died for Democratic gain?

Besides, the majority of people in this country want the war to end. This is why we have majority positions in both houses, because the American people want the troops home ASAP, and they want this achieved by any means possible. I suggest that we heed their wishes:shrug:

[MadHound]

6. A very simple, Constitutionally sanctioned way of making our displeasure felt.

Don't vote for those who wish to continue this war. This is why we have primary and general elections:shrug:

[bluehighways911]

7. Why Do You Have To Wait

Tell them now. I think we are to blame. We just sit and watch.


And I don't mean all, you know who you are, but a lot of us. Why sit here all day and say, did you see what Bush did. Well Duh, what did you expect. And the same thing will happen tomorrow, unless we stop him. And your only hope is getting the Dems on board.

Tell your reps how you feel.

Organize groups to tell them.

Get your community involved.

I know the last two are not easy. But if you want something bad enough.

Is the netroots only going be useful for elections. Or are you going to start taking responsibility.

[fuzzyball]

8. Nominate Kucinich for president in 2008...there is nothing better

to stop Iraq war ASAP.

[leftofthedial]

9. we whine and get in endless circular arguments with the DLC apologists

whose job is to defuse the progressive energy here

[sandnsea]

10. America won't abandon troops in the field

When Congress cut funding to S. Vietnam, most of our troops were already out. In addition, funding was only cut in half, not completely. I don't expect anything different as we try to get out of Iraq.