Should the Democrats really get there hopes up regarding Iraq?

Question

The Iraq war, no matter who is in power, will not end until a Democracy is in place and the country is free and stable. Both Democrats and Republicans know what value a strong, reliable Democracy could do for the region and neither side wants to see the consequences of it failing. Even the terrorists know this, that is why they fight so hard against it. A Democratic nation that succeeded could change the face of the Middle East for good and could be the model in which the other nations of the region aspire to be. The people may find there is a better existance than the ones they lead now and it could significantly reduce, or even eliminate terrorism around the world. For these reasons, and others, I was proud to serve my country in its time of need and do my part to ensure freedom, and safety to those who desire it.

Sunset Sam:

The Democrats idea of "Cut and run." It just doesn't fly with me.

By far the best answers I have ever seen. You all certainly didn't make it easy on me did you.

Answer 1

First, thanks for your service. We're all indebted for your bravery and commitment.

Second...what is your exact point re: Democrats' hopes? I'm not following....

ADDENDUM: Thanks for clarifying that.

As Clinton himself remarked on the eve of the November elections, there's a huge difference between "cut and run", and "Stop and think". The Bush Administration and former architect Rumsfeld did not approach this conflict very well. Unrealistic expectations about Iraqis greeting our troops with flowers, to the resilience of the insurgency, to the civil war erupting, show a complete lack of foresight and preparedness. I too, have talked with soldiers back from Iraq and many are angry about being thrown into a war without adequate body armor, no clear exit strategy, and a sense of aimlessness while friends were getting picked off or blown up. I consider our soldier boys and soldier girls to be one of the most squandered resources under Bush's rule, they deserve better. They deserve a war based on actual intelligence, and with some attainable goals. As tired as this comparison must be, it is a Vietnam for the New Millenium. Pulling out would be cutting our losses short, since what I think stalwart supporters of our current military operations are holding out for is not realistically attainable or of any benefit to our nation. The Iraqis are all adults, they can fix it from here. And the US presence is insipring insurgency recruitment and anti-American sentiment worldwide. I say this not to dismiss your contribution or those of your comrades, but to simply say there comes a time to cut bait and recover, and that time may well be close at hand.

Answer 2

First, remember how shallow most politicians really are. The only reason they can lie so well to the public is that they have become to believe those lives themselves. Typically they make the worse business managers because they share the same flaw. The first thing they want to do when they become boss is to prove to everyone else they are the boss. They change the plan, change the direction, throw out the ideas of the previous boss( regardless of merit) just to prove they have the power.

Islamic extremist is the enemy. They are committed and they are not stupid. The sensibilities of the mainstream US is not an extended war effort until the threat is so great it can't not be ignored by the blindest among us. Because of this, they feel that 6 years is the longest we will send troops when receiving casualties. Compared to Vietnam, Korea, or any of the World Wars, the body count in Iraq is negligible. But because we place a high value on our soldiers, one soldier is a great loss. There is a bigger price to pay for entering the conflict and not going on until victory, than to have not entered the conflict at all.

Answer 3

When you say "get their hopes up," what exactly do you mean? That democrats might crawl back to credibility?

I don't think the democrats had the US or Iraq's best interests in mind. They were out for political power. Now that democrats have duped enough people to win the election, they're flip flopping and taking the Republican stance.

Answer 4

I sure hope the Iraqi people get on the stick! I am all for the US staying in Iraq to provide security and stability, but US morale needs a victory, too.

I think that the sooner Saddam is hung, the sooner we will be able to ascertain a time-table in Iraq.

And thank you for your service. We could use a lot more like you.

Answer 5

You are very optimistic, but the fact is that there is no true
Democracy. The present government in Iraq is predominately
Shiite, because they are the majority of the people, so lets get
out of the way and let them duke it out with the Sunnis, who
were pampered by Saddam and are pooping in their britches
that the Shiites will now have the upper hand over them. There
is nothing that we should do to stand in their way.
It has nothing to do with Democrats in the U.S. - They have no
plan, just complaints and are now waiting for Jim Baker
(A republican) to tell them what should be done.

Answer 6

They have already started back tracking from their rhetoric of the campaign... Unfortunately I cannot agree with your statement. The dems went out on a limb and tried to shoot down the war in Iraq.. the terrorists and insurgents picked this up and repeated it almost word for word.. gave them an incentive to push harder.. they are actually hoping for the dems to win the election... wonder why?

Now that the election is over, why are the dems backing off their promises to the electorate??

Ratonal thinking would indicate what you state to be a reality.. but the campaign was just the opposite, and the people bought it.

Answer 7

First of all, thank you for your service! Unfortunately, I'm not very optimistic about the chances for Iraq to become a western-style democracy. There is no tradition anywhere in the middle east for such forms of government. Plus, the country consists of three religious sects and/or ethnic groups that despise each other, and have for centuries. Personally, I think the best answer is for the country to be divided into three autonomous areas, one for the Sunnis, one for the Shiites, and one for the Kurds. Perhaps the killing will stop if that happens. Though from what I understand, I think Turkey would object to a Kurdish state out of fear that their own Kurds would demand a separate state be carved out for them as well. It's a terrible mess, and in hindsight, we should not have gone over there. I grieve for each American life lost in this unnecessary war.

Having said that, I would add that I am NOT a Bush hater. I don't think he lied or deceived anyone. He simply had a BELIEF that the Iraqi's would embrace democracy, and he trusted what his intelligence sources were telling him about WMD. Remember, the democrats also believed there were WMD in the country. In any case, if Bush is to be blamed for anything, perhaps it's just a fundamental lack of understanding of history in the middle east. His optimism was unwarranted.

Answer 8

Would America accept an imposed socialist system of equality and pride?

No. For the same reasons, others dont like what you or I may think we like. For that reason I am against Invasions to change another culture into ours.

We have our own problems, which they hate and dont want.

Lets fix our own broken chair before sitting someone else down.

Answer 9

It has been my contention for quite a while now that the democrats don't take the war on terror seriously enough - they just don't seem to understand the consequences of loosing this war or the benifits of winning it.

After the Nov 7 election results, I sure hope I am wrong.

Answer 10

They recognize the reality of the situation and understand that winning is the only option. They might say things to make you believe they are going to leave Iraq, but that is for the election and pandering required to gain allegiance of liberal clones.