Yesterday evening I posted an action plan that was well received by those who saw it, but it disappeared quickly under a flood of election reports. I'm revisiting the idea because I believe it has a lot of merit and could actually help to shake Congress out of its lethargy regarding Iraq.
Here is the basic idea: Inundate the offices of Representatives in Congress with requests that they travel to Iraq this summer, get out and investigate the conditions of our troops and of ordinary Iraqis, and report back to constituents on the situation as they observed it. If I were in their position, that is just about the last thing that I would want constituents to demand I do. It would really put me on the spot.
Follow me on the jump; this is a call to action to the netroots.
If I were a Representative pressured by my constituents into traveling to Iraq, I would either have to face up to the actual situation there, and be held accountable by voters for finding solutions; or I could stick with the White House propaganda about progress being made, and be held accountable by voters who won't buy what Mr. Bush is selling. In other words, the plan is to hold members of Congress accountable by creating a very high profile event for each of them. No more hiding in DC behind staffers, press releases, tea and sympathy
I explain my reasons in this diary, and I won't restate them in detail. Please click on that link if you're ready to scream at the status quo, if you've seen enough of the torture and mayhem in Iraq, if you're sick of your nation's reputation being dragged through the mud by the warmongers in power, if you want to throttle the chicken hawks, if you're fed up to your ears with assurances that nothing can be done.
Read my argument why and how it could work to shake up Congress, and at the same time drive a wedge between Bush and some Republican members of the House this summer. Then, if you believe it is worth a shot, come back here and talk about how to put this plan into effect.
While you're there, take careful notice how Dennis Hastert made an idiot of himself in his first and only trip to Iraq. He went, of course, not to investigate the actual conditions, but as a messenger for George Bush, bearing Bush's propaganda. Now he has the 'progress in Iraq' propaganda tied around his neck. It is the same kind of anvil that we could tie onto any House member who, after traveling to Iraq this summer, comes back spouting the party line.
A Plan
I welcome criticisms and suggestions, if you have a better plan. But if you think this one might work, why don't you join me and help to create a blogswarm to implement this plan starting on Thursday...and continuing all month, if necessary, to compel the war hawks in Congress to bow to public pressure to visit Iraq in person.
I suggest concentrating on the House of Representatives, since each member faces the voters in November, and particularly upon supporters of the war. Please email, call, or fax your Representative asking whether he/she will travel to Iraq this summer and report back to constituents about what they find and what they believe Congress should do. Mention also that you believe a failure to investigate the situation in Iraq now that chaos is spreading would be a dereliction of duty. And state that you plan to make your call for action in a letter to the editor to your local paper. Then, do it.
The numbers for the Congressional switchboard are 202-224-3121, 888-355-3588, or 888-818-6641. This search engine at Congress.org is useful for finding your Representative's website quickly. And this search engine at Project Vote Smart has the same and further information about Congressional offices and contacts.
I believe that we can make a real start toward repairing the damage our nation has done in Iraq with the right plan, with focus, and determination. I dare you to prove me wrong.