Oliver Willis

Democrats have been almost as feckless as the media and the Republicans in defense of America when it comes to Iraq. Essentially I blame the leadership, who in fall of 2002 simply wanted to get Iraq off the table in the hopes of social security, health care, and other domestic issues coming to the forefront. As numerous Democrats like Max Cleland can tell you – not only was that a bad move politically, it was a disservice to our nation and the soldiers who defend it. It’s time for it to end. Democrats must now stop being so gun-shy about standing up for what’s right and use whatever is at their disposal to demand a full accounting from the Bush administration of what’s been done in Iraq and what they plan to do.

Every time a bill related to the war comes up, Dems scurry around like chickens with their heads cut off in fear of being smeared as “against the troops”. If you continue to allow yourselves to be led around by the nose by the Republicans and the media, more people will die, our economy will be slammed again, and America becomes a lesser nation. You aren’t the majority but you still have power and responsibilities above the average citizen. You are our voice in the decision making process and its time now to stop simply kicking the ball down the street as the Republicans yet again mockingly wrap themselves in the flag, and be true patriots in pursuit of a nation’s defense.

What I want to know is: when did the party who beat the Nazis, and who served as the voice of America’s moral conscience when it would be politically expedient to do otherwise, decide to be run over by a bunch of zealots and serial liars?

And guess what? It’s the politically right thing to do as well. In case you haven’t noticed, being the squishy party is a losing electoral strategy. America is ripe for vigorous questioning of the entire Iraq war rationale, strategy, and morality – and the Democrats need to be that voice.