Washblog

America's adventure in Iraq needs to end. I live not far from Fort Lewis (WA) and nearly every day this week there has been a story about another soldier killed. The latest brought the total to 164 killed from that base. That is 164 families broken up. That is 164 lives ended too soon. And that is just my community.
Last week the Bush Administration announced they want another $50 billion to continue this debacle, which would come on top of about $460 billion in the fiscal 2008 defense budget and $147 billion in a pending supplemental bill to fund the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. That is approximately $2,190 for every man, woman and child in this country.
Every day you fail to stand up to George W. Bush and let him continue completely leading us in the wrong direction, that is more lives lost and more money wasted.
And that money wasted could be going to better things.
Like health care, as:
*    47 million Americans are without health insurance
*    Over 18,000 Americans die each year from a lack of health insurance  
*    Health care costs over 15% of the GDP  
*    America spends twice that of any other nation on health care, yet ranks 37th in the world by the World Health Organization  
*    Medical bills are the #1 cause of personal bankruptcy
*    And to make matters worse, 95% of Fortune 500 companies planned to further restrict health care plans over the next 5 years and 14% plan to stop providing coverage entirely.
We deserve leadership on this issue. If you don't have the spine to stand up to the "all-powerful" lobbies of the pharmaceuticals and insurance companies, then step aside and let someone else try.
The Bush Administration recently announced new restrictions for states regarding State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP). This was clearly a move to benefit his cronies in the insurance agency. How the hell can you deny care for children? Where is the outrage?
Meanwhile, you have failed to boldly stand up for the Bush Administration's contempt for order, rules, laws and our civil liberties. They are mocking you. And you represent us, so Bush and Co. are mocking us too.
That's fine you don't have to impeach them for their illegal actions, just remember the precedent you set by standing idle. This is not about partisan politics but about a Constitution. If it's just a piece a paper to you, if it is more symbolic than anything, then step aside and let someone else explain to us what it should mean.
Well those are three things you could do something radical, something bold, something that history could remember you by.
You could also try to take on those disastrous trade agreements we've succumbed to at the cost of millions of American jobs.
Or global warming.
Or immigration.
Or our crumbling infrastructure.
Or election reform (no more Diebold or public financing of campaigns).
Or keeping us out of Iran.
Or making sure no more miners die because of lax rules.
Or that we have unfunded mandates in our education system (ala No Child Left Behind).
Your legacy is ultimately going to be the world and country that I inherit; that our children will either prosper or struggle in.
When you go back to work this week, think about all you can do. I think we've had enough of what you cannot accomplish.