Kucinich: Congress Must Tell the President No to Additional War Funding

[davidswanson]

From the office of Congressman Dennis Kucinich

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 29, 2007) - Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) issued the following statement calling on Congress to not appropriate any more funds for the war in Iraq, in response to today's Washington Post report that President Bush plans on asking Congress for $197 billion in funding for the Iraq war for FY 2008:

"We do not have to fund the war. The Democratic leadership must tell the President NO to any additional funding. No legislation is required. No vote is required. We have the money to bring the troops home. It does not require a vote. The only thing required is honesty, integrity and a willingness to end the war," Kucinich said.

"The President's request escalated by $50 billion to continue the surge-a surge that is failing.

"More than 3,700 Americans have died and an estimated one million innocent Iraqis have perished in an unjust and unnecessary war. It is commonly accepted that there is no military solution in Iraq, so why are we there?

"Each year this war is getting more and more costly-both in the amount of money spent and in the number of lives lost. Now the Administration is asking for almost $200 billion for one year alone-just so we can continue down a path of destruction and chaos.

"If the $197 billion was spent on education instead of the war, the federal education budget would triple.

"Congress needs to take a stand against this President and say they will not give him any more money. That is the only way to end this war and bring our troops home.

"The Administration is undermining the political process in Iraq. This money is fueling the occupation, which in turn, is fueling the insurgency. The Democratic leadership must act to end this war and end it now," Kucinich said.

Kucinich introduced HR 1234 on February 28, 2007, which is a plan for the United States to use existing money to bring the troops and necessary equipment home and transition to an international security and peacekeeping force.

[flvegan]

1. And THAT is how a real leader, our next president, talks.

[Orrex]

5. That's how someone who's in no danger of being elected talks

He has nothing to lose, in terms of electability, so he has nothing to fear.

It may be a stance of principle, but it's not a particularly brave stance.

[superkia]

18. The damn electability word again!

If we the people place the votes and one candidate is speaking the truth about issues that mean something to allot of people, how would the candidate not be electable? If many people agree with Kucinich, and then many people voted for Kucinich, he would have a chance at being elected. Now I know we would all have to stop being brainwashed by the media but I think that Americans are smarter than a television......Maybe? I understand that the television teaches us that "politics" means to tell people what they want to hear and then do what profits you and yours but to me "politics" means we the people decide who is electable or not because we place the votes.

The problem is we all have to start believing in our own choices and ignore the tv box for our presidential candidates.

I'm sorry to rant but I just get sick of hearing people promoting the word electable in our presidential election process, its up to all of our votes and when we continue to use that word, it spreads and somehow becomes truth.

[Orrex]

24. I respect that, but there's electable and then there's electable

Kucinich has never polled better nationally than single digits, and he's never shown effectively decisive leadership during his stint in Congress. Also, his term as mayor of Chicago is looked upon with less than glowing approval, so it's difficult to use that precedent as a happy predictor of his likely success should he get to the Whitehouse.

There's a too-easy tendency to dismiss criticism of Kucinich as being somehow prejudiced by the media, when in fact there's plenty to justify one's choice not to support his candidacy.

[LWolf]

23. I won't help elect anyone who can't, or won't, stand on principle. n/t

[Amonester]

2. "The only thing required is honesty, integrity and a willingness to end the war"

How much difficult is it for the "vote-against-your-own-interest" leading candidates to say?

Kucinich For President! :applause:

[MadHound]

3. Gee, a politician following the will of the people, what a novel concept

A refreshing change from flip flopping and triangulation. This is why Kucinich is the best candidate out there.

[Tom Joad]

4. Too bad it won't do that. Pelosi and Hoyer and Reid are ready to give Bushy anything he wants

While Hillary W. Clinton is ready to call the surge a success.
Georgie sure knows how to charm some folks.

[Amonester]

6. Yep. The money changers and their profiteers give them loads of

borrowed dough and promise to give them more if they support therr bu$chie king.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

7. Kucinich will rake Congress over the coals for this...

...and they certainly deserve it.

[mikelgb]

8. if this bill comes to the floor

there better be congressmen on the floor calling for the House to recess, making points of order, parliamentary inquiries, anything possible to obstruct the passage of this bill...

[frylock]

10. yeah -- don't hold your breath..

it's money in the bank.

[Tom Joad]

11. If the Dems were an Oppostion Party instead of a "Me Too!" Party then the US occupation would end

quickly.
Instead they are misguided by the same presumptions.
With a few exceptions, such as Kucinich.

[paparush]

9. THANK YOU, MR. KUCINICH

The guy is leading by example.

[polichick]

12. Another reason (along with his young wife) to believe that Kucinich is...

...well-endowed! ;)

[onewholaughsatfools]

20. well, polichick

i am well endowed? your point

[polichick]

21. Lol

Since I've often complained that our congresspeople don't have the balls and ovaries to do what needs to be done in DC, being well-endowed in this case means that DK is not only able to satisfy his young wife, but he also has the goods to do his job. Hopefully, the same is true for you! :)

[ludwigb]

13. Right On

Bravo Dennis!

Give the American people a choice in terms of stark dollars and cents. Spend another 200 billion on Iraq or spend it on education and health care.

[Desertrose]

14. Right on Dennis....

no more war money.....

[draft_mario_cuomo]

15. Amen DK!

:applause:

[cheddar99]

16. That is cruel

He is teasing us. We ain't never leaving Iraq, and he knows it.

[Greyhound]

17. K & R for the Democrat with integrity and a vertebral column.

I'd like to see the choice between education and war made primary talking point of the campaign.

[onewholaughsatfools]

19. DK is all about doing the peoples work

One thing I can say about Dennis is this. He is serious all about the people business, looking out for the people fighting for the people, fighting for America and the constitution of the USA. So when Dennis speaks people listen now! It's about time

[donkeyotay]

22. Better keep some powder dry-on the table, off the table, beside the table.

If we're going to bankrupt ourselves in Messopotamia, we'd better keep some power dry to help with the massive refugee problem we're creating and to restore basic services to the Iraq we don't want but the one we're going to get anyway. Time to face the facts, and time for Merca to sell the SUVs and drive something a little more suitable for the new reality.

[burrowowl]

25. Will the People elect a Statesman

instead of a Pol, talk to your friends, get DK known for the primaries!
Would be embrassing if he won the primaries and the DNC backs someone else, then we will know where we are at!

[poptartwrapper]

26. Just another reason Dennis should be our next President

Dennis Kucinich has been talking about how easy it would be to cut off funding and get our troops home. Just another example of his clear sightedness. I really wish Democrats had the guts to primary and caucus and stand up for Dennis. We don't get candidates like this very often. It is a real chance to tell the party we want some real 'results'. Every election we get the same fearful crop of 'blue dogs', voting for Republican light. Snap out of it. Cowards. I'd rather vote for something I want and not get it, then vote for something I don't want and get it.

[mike_c]

27. that is the sound of a democrat with a spine, ladies and gentleman....

A sound not often heard inside the beltway, where vertebrate democrats are nearly extinct. What a privilege it is to witness one of the few remaining representatives of the species.

[LWolf]

29. That's the sound that so many Democrats have been craving

for the last 7 years.

The odd thing is that they "ignore" that voice, they marginalize that voice, when it doesn't come from one of their corporate sponsor-approved stars.

Perhaps it's time for voters to be accountable. Democrats want reps with spine? Reps that will stand up and oppose the opposition, support the people they represent?

Then Democrats are going to have to start voting for them, aren't they?

No more votes for height and hair. No more votes for smooth talking snake oil salespeople. You get what you vote for.

Vote for those who will represent you with passion and commitment, not those who manipulate your vote for their own purposes with charming propaganda.

[EVDebs]

28. Note to DK, it's not a 'war' in Iraq, it's an OCCUPATION now

Congress can also review those AUMFs that allow the 'as he (*) determines' language, contrary to the War Powers Resolution of '73 which requires 'clear' (meaning truthful) 'circumstances' and 'situations' !

[Vidar]

30. Go, Dennis, go!