Now that’s a Congressman
Mike Arcuri, who represents NY 24th (Sherry Boehlert’s old district) was interviewed on WRVO a few days ago. Arcuri is a freshman member of congress who now sits on the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee is the gatekeeper of legislation, so even as a new member of congress in the majority he holds considerable power. He voted for the Iraq resolution.
His reasons:
- A winning strategy is to end the war and bring the troops home.
- We have nothing to gain by staying in Iraq
- Escalation will only increase the violence against troops. Every time we have escalated the war, there is more violence.
- Start with bringing the National Guard home followed by a phased withdrawal of all the troops.
- Congress holds the power of the purse and should not constrain itself with its use.
- He would consider “effecting” funding to bring troops home.
Listen to the interview here:
Arcuri WRVO interview
JOE on 20 Feb 2007 at 5:45 pm #
it’s funny, you got beat!!
Mark A. Jeror Sr. on 21 Feb 2007 at 9:09 am #
One of the biggest reasons why the USA hasn’t been able to win over the hearts and minds of everyday Iraqi’s, is the fact that in addition to the 150,000 or so servicemen who want to actually win, we have an additional 100,000 private contractors intermingling with our troops and Iraqi citizens, who see never-ending war as job security. How can we trust their intentions, when their best interests and our best interests are polar opposites? One of Osama’s stated goals was to repeat the process that successfully resulted in the old USSR’s demise. Bankruptcy. America already gives more welfare checks to the military industrial complex than ALL other nations combined. Considering the fact that this is the same country that eliminated the Nazi’s, Empirical Japan, and Fascist Italy, and were home in less time than it’s taken BushCo to subdue a bunch of cave dwelling camel jockeys, we should do everything we can to prevent our eventual bankruptcy. It’s time for Congress to include wording, in all future legislation, that seeks to eliminate the possibility that the forces of the military industrial complex, aren’t giving aid and comfort to the enemy. These are major international corporations. Remember the Exxon/Mobil representative in front of Congress after Katrina? He said it wasn’t any corporations job to do what is best for America. Their primary obligation is to make profits for their fortunate investors. Halliburton is an international corporation with a branch in Houston. They have no obligation to do what is best for America. My son, who is currently in the Air National Guard stationed North of Baghdad, within striking distance of Iran, deserves to know that his co-workers all owe their allegiance to America, not corporate profits that depend on him becoming collateral damage.