We’re in this thing, so what the heck do we do now?

I’ll freely admit, I’ve spent entirely too much time hashing over why and how we got into this mess we find ourselves in in Iraq. I’ve laid blame, I’ve pointed fingers, and I’ve gotten personal. And the entire time, with all my ranting and raving, posturing and postulating, I’ve offered no solutions, no ideas on how to get us out of this pickle. And that’s not like me. I’ve spent my professional life coming up with innovative solutions to complex problems, being the “idea guy” when a customer needs a fix for the dilemma he finds himself in. And while peace in the region certainly can’t be equated to increasing production, or reducing costs, I’d like to think I could offer something more meaningful than what I’ve thus far put forward.

The first obvious question: Do we stay, or do we go? And this is certainly a difficult one to answer. On the one hand, you have the concern that a departure of U.S. forces would lead to a collapse of the fragile Iraqi government, MORE sectarian violence, and MORE instability in the region. On the other hand, you have the argument that the U.S. presence, in and of itself, contributes to the escalating violence; that we’ve done all we really can do to set the people of Iraq on their way, and that our personnel have become little more than live target practice for terrorist elements within the country. On this issue, I have to lean towards a withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country. I do believe we’ve done all that we can from a military point of view. Now is the time for helping to build a future for the Iraqi people. Our efforts now should focus on them developing their own security and infrastructure.

The next question: When and how? Well, I don’t believe in a sudden, massive withdrawal of our troops. This process needs to be phased, and it needs to be orderly. As for a timetable… I know many have said that if we give a fixed date, it will just allow the terrorist elements to “wait us out”. Hogwash. Not if we do it right. But for argument’s sake, fine, let’s keep the timetable internal, not for public consumption. Our government will be aware of it, and Iraqi leadership will be aware of it, everyone else can wait and see. But whether or not you publicize it, before you execute a plan, you have to have a plan. My suggestion would be a reduction of 50% of the existing U.S. forces within a year, and the balance gradually over five years. During that period we have to insist on the Iraqis building up their own security forces, cause in five years guys, you’re on your own. Want your country back? Then act like it.

Another important question: How do we end the sectarian violence? Is there a political or diplomatic solution to this, rather than a military one? These people have been fighting amongst themselves for generations. It’s foolish to believe that they will put aside their differences, religious, ethnic, and culturally, overnight. Could a divided Iraq still be a united Iraq? Is it worth considering the option of three separate, but equal Iraqi states? Setting up a two-house legislature within the country similar to the U.S. model. One house has equal representation; the other has representation based upon population. I’m tossing this one out there, as I’m sure others have already done. Could this be a way to keep the peace, and prevent Iraq from tearing itself asunder?

And finally, the overall question of stability within the region: Whatever we do in Iraq, the broader theme of peace within the region remains. Wiser men than I have said, “the road to peace in the Middle East goes through Jerusalem, not Baghdad. Truer words have never been spoken. Until we find a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, stability within this part of the world will elude us. Let’s face it, we in the West created this problem in the first place (no, not the overall Jewish-Arab rift, the real estate problem); we ought to help come up with a solution. The Israelis are making some encouraging gestures as we speak, perhaps this will be the start of something concrete and lasting.

Stability in this region is more than just a high ideal or noble cause. It may very well mean our very survival as a species. Everyone is afraid of a nuclear Middle East. News flash folks… We HAVE a nuclear Middle East. Whether declared or not, it seems highly unlikely that both Israel and Saudi Arabia are not part of the nuclear club. And we know that Pakistan and India are members of that club, although perhaps not officially “in” the Middle East, they both play significant roles in the region. Then there’s Russia, China, and the U.S., all with vital (and competing) interests in the region. That’s quite a radioactive cocktail we’ve got there. Straight up, if you please. We can’t afford to have this one shaken or stirred.

The death knell for the conservative movement? I think not.

In the week since the election, the talking heads on the left side of the political perspective have been gloating over the election results, as well as the so-called demise of conservatism in America. While I am admittedly happy about the results of the election, I certainly am not ready to put any nails into the coffin of the American conservative movement.

Even some on the right are suggesting a conservative implosion in this country. A former director and trustee of the National Review, Austin W. Bramwell, has a piece in the November 20th issue of The American Conservative entitled “Good-bye to All That - A former National Review trustee surveys the wreckage of contemporary conservatism.”

"Until recently, it has been almost impossible for me to speak candidly about the conservative movement, for it was my strange fate to serve as director and later trustee of the movement’s flagship journal, National Review. Earlier this year, at William F. Buckley’s request, I resigned both positions. I can therefore now declare what perhaps has oft been thought but never, at least not often enough, expressed. Notwithstanding conservatives’ belief that they, in contrast to their partisan opponents, have thought deeply about the challenges facing the United States, it is they who have become unserious."

Here’s a link to the article: http://www.amconmag.com/2006/2006_11_20/cover.html

While I don’t share Mr. Bramwell’s pessimistic outlook on conservatism in America, I do find his analysis fascinating. And some of what he suggests falls along the lines of what many of us on the left have been saying for years – QUIT DRINKING THE KOOL-AID!

My personal opinion is that the recent elections, and the aftermath to come, do not necessarily represent the death of conservatism in America. I think this represents an opportunity for the leaders of the conservative movement to reflect, regroup, and refocus on where the movement is, and where it needs to be. Make no mistake though; conservatism has been dealt a major blow, and a self-inflicted one at that. How the conservative movement chooses to deal with it will determine whether it was a fatal one.

Great. Now don’t you dare blow it!

Last night’s elections were a victory for the Democrats to be sure, but more importantly, they were a victory for America. In my opinion, balanced government is better government. And oversight is a very good thing. Perhaps, just perhaps, we will now have a chance to right some of the wrongs that have occurred in recent years.

The Democratic Party has an opportunity here. And damnit, you’d better not blow it. Cause if you guys screw up, you won’t have to worry about the Republicans holding your feet to the flames. You need to worry about people like me.

When the do-nothing, goose-stepping Republican Congress was taking a dump on the American people, I was shouting from the rooftops. If the Democrats follow suit, I’m gonna shout even louder. And so are countless Americans just like me.

I think the American people demonstrated yesterday that they are sick and fed up with “business as usual” in Washington, as well as in statehouses all over this country. We sent a message that it’s high time that our elected representatives start actually representing OUR interests, rather than their own, or those of their party.

So Democrats, celebrate your victory, but don’t gloat. Republicans, learn the lessons of this midterm election, so that you can right your ship and clean your house. But come January, the time for kissing and crying is over. It’ll be time to get back to work. THE PEOPLE’S WORK.

I’ve got one word for you… VOTE.

There’s so much I could say. I could go on and on about the scandals, about the hypocrisy, about the failed policies, about the divisive tactics, about the lack of progress on countless important issues, etc. But that’s not what this post is about.

We live in a truly great nation. In my opinion, the greatest in the history of human civilization. And one of the things that makes our country so great is that we, as citizens, have the ability to determine the future direction of our nation. Or at least, that’s the way it’s supposed to work. But it doesn’t work that way if we don’t do our part.

Decisions are made by those that show up. It is not only our right; it is our responsibility to participate in the democratic process. If you don’t like the government you have, then do your part to change it. Because if you sit on your hands, and do nothing but complain about what you don’t like, or what you don’t agree with; then you are part of the problem. So do your homework, educate yourself, and vote.

I don’t care what your political persuasion is. You may agree with me on the issues, on the candidates, or you may not. You may think I’m brilliant, or a raving lunatic. On this one issue, our similarities and our differences are immaterial. Whether we agree or disagree, we should ALL participate this coming Tuesday, and exercise our Constitutional right, and our civic duty, and VOTE.



“Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.” - George Jean Nathan

“If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in government to the utmost.” – Aristotle

“All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” - Thomas Jefferson