Do you think having a Democratic majority in Congress will mean a more enlightened foreign policy?

Question

They have been more willing to entertain the exercise of military force to end the current impasse over Iran's nuclear program. On other national security issues, these hard-line Democrats have defended the already-existing nuclear weapons arsenals of U.S. allies Pakistan, Israel, and India. And last month, an overwhelming majority of Democrats in the House voted in support of a resolution criticizing President Bush for not sufficiently punishing Palestinians who suffer under Israeli military occupation.

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0708-28.htm

Answer 1

Unfortunetly, no because chimpy and his pals will still determine the course of US foreign policy. All congress can do is deny funds for certain programs that Cheney and his monkey want.

Answer 2

The Palestinian problem was because they almost had a peace until Hamas took over the government. Now it is up to the Palestinians to get rid of their terrorist government or suffer the consequences and they need to be told that in no uncertain terms. These other countries are part of the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty. Iran will not sign this, neither will North Korea but they are basically harmless. If you are going to bash get your facts before you do so. This government needs to be more balanced. Nothing has gotten done for 6 yrs. That is indefensible. Sorry.

Answer 3

Well I would have to say that with the Democratic Majority we wouldn't rush into as many foreign conflicts. As far as being better than what we have now I'd say can it get any worse than it already is? I doubt it. I would expect more of a drastic domestic change which I think would be for the better. The Republicans had their chance and screwed things up big time. Now lets see how the Democrats clean up this mess.

Answer 4

Which hard-line Democrats were these? I wasn't aware of any Dems in Congress other than Lieberman who supported military force, and I think we all know what you think of him, considering that he stands a real chance of losing his primary and is considering an independent campaign just to keep his seat.

Your link talks a lot about Iraq, but you've quoted the only mentions of Iran and nukes that I saw. I guess it depends on what you mean by "enlightened". If you mean "peace-loving", I would have thought so until I read this, but now I doubt it.

It seems that anti-war Democrats have a similar problem to what Republicans like me had in '04. You see, I live in Pennsylvania, and I don't like Arlen Specter. I voted for his opponent in the primary, who just barely lost. As a result, I found myself holding my nose as I flipped the switch for Specter in November. I have a feeling that both sides will continue to have problems like this, voting in congressmen that don't really share our beliefs, until a new party(-ies) are formed, or existing third parties can gain enough ground to pose a threat to the establishment. Until then, God help all of us.

Answer 5

How can it get any LESS enlightened than it is now? A democratic majority will mean the salvation of this sorry land, although undoing the damage that has been wreaked in the current administration will take time and effort.

Answer 6

I think it will. I believe that they will be more objective. The current administration went in with an agenda, which was unwise. Their key players wrote about it. They manipulated reports to fit their agenda. The democrats would be smart enough to to go after those who actually attacked us instead of just going after those they have personal issues with. They would work to keep good relations with allies and protect us from genuine enemies. They would not create new enemies by using torture.

Answer 7

Currently the Democratic party has no agenda pertaining to foreign policy. go to their web site DNC.org.

Historically the democrats have concentrated on domestic policy rather than foreign. Which I happen to agree with.

Wow a majority of democrats voted to criticize Bush? no news there.

Answer 8

I think the Congressional Foreign Committee will exercise a more relaxed foreign policy, but the real foreign policy is made by executive branch and Secretary of State.

Answer 9

No Just A More Chicken &hit Leadership

Answer 10

so... you're in support of our current foreign policy?

because guess what... people are either voting for the existing one or the democratic one... granted neither may be preferred... but our current foreign policy is laughable...I mean Bolton as UN ambassador?