Web Letters: The Antiwar Plank

By John Nichols

This article appeared in the June 23, 2008 edition of The Nation.

June 5, 2008

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While I completely agree on the need for a strong antiwar platform for the Democratic Party, I think it is all the more important for the antiwar forces--which I know involves not only many (and not all) Democrats, but some Republicans, independents--progressives. Above all, it is the antiwar sentiments and the work of the progressive forces in support of it that have won the primary for Senator Obama. Never in the last forty years has there been a better opportunity to expand the antiwar coalition in this country. By linking the economic plight of the poor and the middle class with the astronomical expenses of the war in Iraq, exposing the moral bankruptcy of US militarism, extolling its potential leadership in the world in changing the age-old practice of flexing military might as the only way to resolve national conflict, we have an opportunity to build a permanent antiwar, pro-peace national political force. We have an obligation to convince our citizens that just as we have a right to be concerned about our national security, so does every other country in the world. Without this basic premise, war remains the main instrument for resolving conflicts. What is needed is abandoning the sectarianism that has hobbled the antiwar peace movement in this country for a long time.

M. Siddique

Chevy Chase, MD
06/09/2008 @ 11:08am
One of the best ways to ensure that we do not enter into conflicts such as the war in Iraq hastily and without serious deliberation is to modify the War Powers Act to include language that such actions would be funded solely by a surtax on the income of all individuals and corporations for the duration of the conflict. If going to war is considered to be a just cause, then all--instead of just the military and their families--should be willing to make the necessary sacrifices to fight such a war. This would obviate the need to fund wars like this off budget by creating huge deficits, thereby placing much needed and important federal programs at great jeopardy. This makes more sense than displaying those yellow "Support the Troops" stickers on the bumpers of our cars. What kind of sacrifice does that empty gesture involve?

Phillip J. Baker

Kensington, MD
06/08/2008 @ 7:48pm

Web Letters: The Antiwar Plank

By John Nichols

June 5, 2008

Chevy Chase, MD

Kensington, MD

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