Iraq
Ross Overby’s Vision
My Vision and the vision of the Democratic Party is to engage what has always been the power of America. America is best when we lead with diplomacy backed by our military might; America is best when we deliver prosperity; America is best when we kindle hope in the lives of people. We have always been at our best when we have led with American values.
The only solution to the morass that is the Iraqi War is to have the people of the Middle East rise up against terrorists. We need to help the people, but our current policies support oppressive governments and ignore the plight of millions that we need as allies. Bush's allies in the Middle East are monarchies and military dictators that oppress their own people. The very leaders that gave us the Taliban and al Qaeda are our allies and their people hate us. Terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, the Taliban, and al Qaeda actually have become more prominent, integrated, and more organized as a result of President George Bush’s foreign policy.
I want the United States to engage in peace talks that span the entire Middle East. The solution is a regional peace and security accord between Sunnis and Shiites. The accord must eliminate the Iranian meddling in Iraq as well as the regional support for the Sunni insurgents. We must engage the Iraqi government by demanding a dialogue between the Sunni and Shiite factions. This is not cutting and running, this is not abandoning Iraq, this is not cowardly; this building the political foundation upon which Iraq can emerge into security and prosperity. If we can't or won't build this foundation we have sent our finest on a mission that cannot be won. We may be able to temporarily suppress insurgents, but we cannot erase sectarian hatred, only they can.
Pressure the President not our Troops Congress should not try to control our failing foreign policy by cutting troop funding, for then only the troops would suffer. We serve our troops best when every American and every representative in Congress demands that the President use our diplomatic might first and the selective and wise use of our troops second. We serve our troops best when we address the real problem in Iraq which is the lack of resolve in the Iraqi leadership to mend hatred. As I have said, we may be able to temporarily suppress insurgents, but we cannot erase sectarian hatred, only they can. We must be a diplomatic calm in the storm.
Serve our Troops and Veterans
Our troops are near exhaustion; the stress on our soldiers is the highest since the Viet Nam era. Military families remain divided with financial hardship as their loved ones serve our country. Some veteran hospitals and services are shamefull; we are not serving our troops. Anybody that risks his or her life in the service of our country should have no financial worry - raise their pay and spousal support. Increase our psychological services as our troops deal with stress. Make our VA hospitals and services second to none. And - use the power of our diplomacy so our troops can see the progress and the purpose of their misson. |
Iraq