House Gives Bush a Blank Check

06/16/2006

Paul Munnis

You would think that the U.S. House of Representatives, responsible for America’s purse strings, would want a date when the $8 Billion per month bill for the Iraq War starts to come down. This is especially the case since they have the largest deficit in the history of the U.S. government on their hands and no plan to pay for it.

But no, they voted to not have a time table to end the war in Iraq.

That means they have given a blank check to the Bush Administration and in the eyes of this constituent that is irresponsible fiscal behavior.

Of course we all know this was a political ploy meant to trap Democrats into charges of not supporting our troops but that’s a bit late once you realize that Democrats have supported our troops for three years now and that the Iraq War is the longest war in modern history and the end is not even in sight. We support our troops okay but I do not think that we support Mr. Bush or the GOP Congress any longer. They have used up their credit with us.

So has or irresponsible GOP Congressman that represents us in this First Congressional District.

It’s fair to ask what kind of resolution would have been appropriate. In our view a requirement for a date to give a date would have been the first step. After the date was set, every calendar quarter the Administration would be required to provide an update on progress towards efforts at meeting the planned date. In other words the Bush Administration would be put on a measured mile.

It’s time for less Party politics and time for more fiscal management by Congress. Once again they have put politics ahead of their job responsibilities. All of that comes from a Congress that has forsaken their oversight responsibility.

Right now, the government of Iraq is locked down in a fortress called the “green zone,” unable to mingle with the people who elected them. A corrupt police force infiltrated by insurgents is the legacy. Sectarian violence is rampant and carnage is at an all time high. Bush is trying to sell hope for this un-unified government but it seems hopeless. We have spent a trillion dollars so far and suffered the loss of 2,500 American lives. The death of al Zarquawi has not solved anything.

Hello—no plan? No dates? No willpower to manage the war? No oversight? Seems there is more deficit in Congress than just that found in the budget numbers. We think its time to change horses.