RESOLUTION TO WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN (December 2010)
Whereas, it is not morally or legally justified to ask American warriors to fight and die to prop up a fraudulent and corrupt Afghanistan government led by Hamid Karzai who is not a trustworthy leader.
Whereas, over 5800 warriors have been killed and over 90,000 maimed, wounded, or made ill by these wars. Large numbers of troops are returning with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and other physical and psychological illnesses. It is reprehensible that our troops have suffered, and continue to suffer, to prop up the Iraq and Afghanistan governments.
Whereas, former National Security Advisor Retired General James L. Jones has reported that less than one hundred Al Qaeda operate in Afghanistan. Al Qaeda can, and does, operate in many places around the world.
Whereas, the presence of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq is often counterproductive by creating more terrorists than we are able to kill and thereby weakening our national security.
Whereas, America can not afford deficit spending to fund military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Whereas, the United States economy is strained by high levels of unemployment and the money spent on the Iraq and Afghan occupations could provide thousands of jobs in America. And, the cost to maintain the occupation in Afghanistan and Iraq diverts resources that are needed to build infrastructure to invest at home in America.
Whereas, many military functions are contracted to private mercenary companies that often results in waste and corruption and the mercenary companies are often given waivers and immunity by the Department of Defense that leaves taxpayers on the hook to pay for their liabilities.
Whereas, we have been fighting the Afghanistan war longer than any war in American history and we still have no plausible end game. If we stay for many more years in an effort to “stabilize” Afghanistan, there are no guarantees that we have “won” anything? No matter when we leave, the population, army, and police are unlikely to support a corrupt government that America propped up.
Whereas, a new Iraqi government was established in 2005 and a credible government is still not in place and American troops cannot provide security in Iraq in perpetuity.
Whereas, reconstruction efforts have failed in Iraq as well as in Afghanistan. Billions of dollars are unaccounted for and corruption is rampant. The American military should not be used for reconstruction in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Reconstruction should be handled by the Iraqis, the Afghans, the United Nations, or a multinational entity.
Whereas, keeping troops in Iraq and Afghanistan diminishes our capacity to combat terrorists. The presence of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan gives credence to the belief that we are occupying Muslim countries in order to subjugate their population and to take their national resources.
Whereas, Nobel winning economist Joseph Stiglitz has calculated the cost of the Iraq operation at three trillion dollars, or more. The cost for Afghanistan adds trillions more. As many as one million Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will need treatment by VA with as many filing disability claims with VA so that the cost of these wars will continue for years. America hollows out our own economy by continuing to finance the occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Whereas, the many Afghans and Iraqis view United States troops in their countries as a threat to their security and do not want foreign troops occupying their homeland.
Whereas, an 18-year old kid off the streets of New York or a farm in Georgia can be trained as a Marine in 13 weeks. Why don’t the Iraqis and Afghans have robust police and armies after so many years? The American kid knows who he is fighting for. The Iraqi or Afghan doesn’t.
Whereas, Congress has the sole Constitutional authority to declare war and to fund military operations.
WHEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED THAT FLORIDA VETERANS FOR COMMON SENSE CALLS ON CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT TO:
- BRING OUR TROOPS HOME FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN FORTHWITH ON A TIME TABLE CONSISTENT WITH THEIR SAFETY.
- END FUNDING FOR MILITARY OPERATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ.
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