Why do Democrats lack spine on Iraq?
Why do so many Democratic Party candidates seem to lack a spine?
As reported by the Associated Press on July 3, Obama's already weak opposition to the Iraq occupation is getting even weaker.
Now he is using Bush's "recommendations from commanders on the ground" technique for dodging responsibility, and he hasn't even won the race.
As a recent military veteran, I would never vote to elect someone commander in chief if he or she doesn't realize the "commanders on the ground" are not the people who make policy. They do what they're told regardless of how many stars they wear.
With Obama already looking like a flip-flopper, voters opposed to the military and corporate occupation of Iraq should realize that electing legislators who will not vote to fund the occupation is the only guaranteed way to support the troops by bringing them home now.
In the 10th congressional District race, we have no such candidate with the possible exception of independent Allan Stevo, who has not yet made his position known.
Republican incumbent Mark Kirk has enabled Bush every step of the way, but does Democratic challenger Dan Seals offer anything different?
Mr. Seals is taking the Nancy Pelosi route-speak frequently and furiously about "changing course," but vow to fund the occupation at least another year under the ruse of "phased withdrawal."
If Obama keeps reversing himself and McCain wins, there won't even be a phased, arbitrary withdrawal unless funds are denied. There will just be 100 years (McCain's number) of immoral military occupation.
I hope Democratic voters in the 10th District will push back against the propaganda the Democratic Party is feeding them and demand that "anti-war" candidates walk the walk.
The simple truth, as expressed by several Democratic candidates for president, is that voting to fund something supports that thing by definition.
The Democratic Party is 50 percent of the reason the occupation continues, but it's never too late to change.
David J. Kalbfleisch
Arlington Heights