Iraqis are failing to form democracy

Over 4,000 American soldiers have been killed, 30,000 have been wounded, and $400 billion dollars has been spent on a conflict in Iraq which began in March of 2003. The invasion of Iraq by George W. Bush and Dick Cheney can not be called a war because only Congress can declare a war, according to our Constitution. Now in its sixth year, the primary violence is between various Shiite groups seeking control of Iraq before the 2008 election in the fall.

Anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and his Mahdi Army militia are in control of Iraq, in spite of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's claim to leadership. In a display of weakness, Nouri al-Maliki recently ordered a nationwide freeze of Iraqi raids against Shiite militants, bowing to demands by al-Sadr, who threatened retaliation against Iraqi security forces.

The Kurds control north Iraq. The Sunnis control west Iraq. The primary struggle for control of Iraq is between various groups of Shiites, the primary one being Muqtada al-Sadr's.

The U.S. has not failed in Iraq. The Iraqi people have failed in Iraq. They have failed to work together and ignore the ethnic and religious differences that separate them. They are no closer to achieving a united, democratic form of government today than five years ago. Democracy and freedom are not a gift, they can only be achieved by the sacrifice of those who live in Iraq. The people of Iraq have made a decision to live in chaos, violence and religious hostility. A Chicago politician once said "Chicago was not ready for reform," and evidently neither is Iraq.

Richard F. Nelson

Aurora