We've all heard the latest
bullshit internal memos from Fox already.
Let's be on the lookout from any statements from the Iraqi insurgents, who must be thrilled at the prospect of a Dem-controlled congress
However there are 4 reasons why Democrats should strike fear into both the GOP sleaze machine and the Iraqi insurgents:
J-O-B-S
J-O-B-S
What a nightmare would it be for the GOP if it turned out that through humanitarian aid, human rights, and economic development if a massive international program won over hearts and minds by actually taking the bite off of the violence in Iraq. And it would be the Democrats whose ideas actually counted towards taking the popular support off the civil war that's raging now.
Step 1 Realize Iraq is in a Civil War:
Any history of warfare shows that you are an idiot to put ground troops in the middle of a civil war.
Therefore, Bush doesn't know anything about how to use the armed forces.
Step 2: Realize that most of the violence in Iraq is caused by economic, rather than ideological phenomena:
An overly optimistic CIA estimate from 2005 says that Iraq's unemployment is 25-30%. People I knew who have served in Iraq say that most of the bombings directed both towards US troops and Iraqi Civilians are planted by people who are paid 2-300 dollars/a pop. A Human Rights Watch report says
Others joined out of anger over war crimes committed by U.S. forces or the Multi-National Force's perceived disrespect for Iraqi culture and institutions. And some appear to have joined or participated in specific attacks as a way to earn money. As head of Iraqi intelligence Maj. Gen. Muhammad `Abdullah al-Shahwani said in January 2005, "people are fed up with no security, no electricity, people feel they have to do something."
If we cut the unemployment levels, violence could decrease.
Step 3: Withdraw all US troops out of the cities and into the least-populated areas of the desert only to stay about 6-8 months to prevent any incredibly dangerous violence.
Step 4: Put $20 billion dollars of additional aid through corruption-free nonprofit groups and the UN to build infrastructure, schools, roads, ect... (for more on this, see an excellent Kos diary from about 6 months ago). The entire Iraqi government's budget is only $25 billion. If we contributed that in just one year and required that Iraqi citizens were the onoly ones who got employment from this money, imagine what it could do.
George McGovern has a good idea on how to do this:
The Way Out of War
A blueprint for leaving Iraq now
To this end, we think that the Iraqi government would be wise to request the temporary services of an international stabilization force to police the country during and immediately after the period of American withdrawal. Such a force should itself have a firm date fixed for its removal....
The creation and solidification of an Iraqi national police force will probably require, at a rough estimate, four to five years to become fully effective. We suggest that the American withdrawal package should include provision of $1 billion to help the Iraqi government create, train, and equip such a force, which is roughly the cost of four days of the present American occupation.
The World Bank has estimated that at least $25 billion will be required to repair the Iraqi infrastructure alone--this is quite apart from the damage done to private property. The reconstruction can be, and should be, done by Iraqis, as this would greatly benefit the Iraqi economy, but the United States will need to make a generous contribution to the effort if it is to be a success. Some of this aid should be in the form of grants; the remainder can be in the form of loans. Funds should be paid directly to the Iraqi government, as it would be sound policy to increase the power and public acceptance of that government once American troops withdraw.
Step 5: As the amount of people killed drops slightly, but significantly get the fuck out of there while things have temporarily calmed down As crass and callous as it may sound, if the number of people killed in Iraq drops to a number of 20 or less, things will have improved. This will show the truth that the Democrats know what they are doing in the international arena, and let us prove forever that we've cleaned up Dubya's pathetic mess.
And it never hurts to have some intelligent people running the show:
We should continue to provide humanitarian aid and keep the United Nations in there to ensure the fairness of elections and protect from human rights abuses by the Iraqi government or any other group.
Additionally, the U.N. can serve as an honest broker and facilitate the political compromise that is necessary to end reduce the sectarian violence. It has done so before in places like El Salvador. The US can pay out not-so fucked up allies in the region like Turkey and Jordan to train Iraqi police and military forces. And we get the f--- out of there.