John Kerry and Russ Feingold are once again attempting to set a timetable for the return of our troops from Iraq. Regardless of what the Bush propaganda machine tells you, this IS what is best for America. A gradual reduction in troop levels is not "cut and run", but rather it will motivate the Iraqis to start fending for themselves.
I am reminded of myself back when I finished high school and was preparing to go to college. I had relied on my parents' support for 18 years. I had to start learning to cook, clean, and do my own laundry. It was a difficult transition. I moved to a new town almost 200 miles from home where I hardly knew anyone. I didn't have my parents there to hold my hand any longer. I was faced with a choice...grow up fast or failure. In the end, I succeeded.
The Iraqis are much like that young person going off to college. Right now, they have the US military there to hold their hand. They have no motivation for doing things themselves. Bush is treating them like that helpless child that can't make it without him. The Iraqis are more like the average teenager. They want to make it on their own, but they have an over-protective parent that doesn't trust their judgement. He needs to make all their decisions for them.
If we do not set a timetable for redeployment of our troops, things in Iraq will never get better. The terrorists are after the United States, not the Iraqis. They are nothing but innocent bystanders in this war. Iraq has a new government...they have a military...it is time to turn them loose. It is time to tell them that we trust them, believe in them, and are ready to let them show the world they believe in themselves.
If the people Iraq really want to live in a democracy, they will stop sitting there on the sidelines and waiting for everything to get better. They will jump in and work to make it better. The United States did not have anyone holding our hand during the Revolution. We did it ourselves and so will the Iraqis. Support the Kerry-Feingold Amendment by e-mailing or writing your Senators today. It is time to truly liberate the people of Iraq.
