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On CNN, Vice President Cheney is quoted as saying "The fact is that the United States military answers to one commander-in-chief in the White House, not 535 commanders-in-chief on Capitol Hill."
Such talk from a member of the executive branch is alarming.
The United States military works for the American people. Congress directly represents the American people.
The American people have spoken. We want a path to victory in Iraq, or we want to stop spending the lives of our soldiers for no good reason.
Congress has the power to make war. Does Congress also have the power to NOT make war?
That is what Bush is testing the Congress on. It may be that the future of democracy depends on not letting him win this particular power struggle.
If the only route to putting the U.S. military back under civilian control is to cut its budget or to refuse to appropriate funds . . . do it. I say this knowing that friends of mine are overseas with the military right now, and others are in training here in the States. I would prefer that they not get killed due to lack of equipment or training. I would also prefer that they come home to live in a democracy, not in the kind of nation Bush seems to think we live in.
The American people have stated their preference that we not send more troops to fight and die for poorly defined and intensely political objectives.
Ask Bush to define "victory" in Iraq and tie the money to his definition. Or don't give his futile war another red cent.
Thank you for your time.
Such talk from a member of the executive branch is alarming.
The United States military works for the American people. Congress directly represents the American people.
The American people have spoken. We want a path to victory in Iraq, or we want to stop spending the lives of our soldiers for no good reason.
Congress has the power to make war. Does Congress also have the power to NOT make war?
That is what Bush is testing the Congress on. It may be that the future of democracy depends on not letting him win this particular power struggle.
If the only route to putting the U.S. military back under civilian control is to cut its budget or to refuse to appropriate funds . . . do it. I say this knowing that friends of mine are overseas with the military right now, and others are in training here in the States. I would prefer that they not get killed due to lack of equipment or training. I would also prefer that they come home to live in a democracy, not in the kind of nation Bush seems to think we live in.
The American people have stated their preference that we not send more troops to fight and die for poorly defined and intensely political objectives.
Ask Bush to define "victory" in Iraq and tie the money to his definition. Or don't give his futile war another red cent.
Thank you for your time.
