The U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq is leading to
the destruction of that country.
It has resulted in death and injury to thousands of American can troops and tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians. War crimes committed by U.S. personnel have disgraced our country in the eyes of the whole world. And rather than defuse terrorism, the war in Iraq has fueled it.
It has resulted in death and injury to thousands of American can troops and tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians. War crimes committed by U.S. personnel have disgraced our country in the eyes of the whole world. And rather than defuse terrorism, the war in Iraq has fueled it.
The political leaders in Washington responsible for
the catastrophe should be called to account for the deaths
and suffering they have caused.
But it is a mistake to believe that merely removing them from office will solve the problem or increase the chances for lasting peace and justice in the world.
It is our political-economic system which has enabled intellectually and morally deficient leaders to rise to power. It is the system that must be fundamentally altered. If this system continues as it has, similiar leaders will again come to power and repeat the same kind of disastrous policies.
All countries today operate in the context of the global marketplace. The national economies that succeed are those whose businesses are most successful in selling their goods and services in domestic and foreign markets.
Corporations of necessity depend on their own governments for assistance in the competitive struggle for global markets, and for access to the natural resources they need but don’t have in their own countries.
But it is a mistake to believe that merely removing them from office will solve the problem or increase the chances for lasting peace and justice in the world.
It is our political-economic system which has enabled intellectually and morally deficient leaders to rise to power. It is the system that must be fundamentally altered. If this system continues as it has, similiar leaders will again come to power and repeat the same kind of disastrous policies.
All countries today operate in the context of the global marketplace. The national economies that succeed are those whose businesses are most successful in selling their goods and services in domestic and foreign markets.
Corporations of necessity depend on their own governments for assistance in the competitive struggle for global markets, and for access to the natural resources they need but don’t have in their own countries.
Global competition for oil
Access to and control of energy resources, especially
oil, is critical to a nation’s well-being. Competition among
countries for oil is a major cause of international political
conflict in the world today.
It was more than mere coincidence that two of America’s allies who most voci- ferously opposed the invasion of Iraq — France and Russia — had existing and pending oil deals with the Saddam Hussein regime. They knew that if Saddam were overthrown, the deals were dead.
The Bush administration saw the situation in the same way. Its purpose in invading Iraq — which we now know had nothing to do with the invented pretexts of WMD and connections to al-Qaida — was to monopolize U.S. control of Iraqi oil reserves, as well as police other Middle East oil producing countries through a permanent military presence in Iraq.
It was more than mere coincidence that two of America’s allies who most voci- ferously opposed the invasion of Iraq — France and Russia — had existing and pending oil deals with the Saddam Hussein regime. They knew that if Saddam were overthrown, the deals were dead.
The Bush administration saw the situation in the same way. Its purpose in invading Iraq — which we now know had nothing to do with the invented pretexts of WMD and connections to al-Qaida — was to monopolize U.S. control of Iraqi oil reserves, as well as police other Middle East oil producing countries through a permanent military presence in Iraq.
Democrats offer no alternative
That the Iraq fiasco is not merely the result of
Bush’s policy, but instead developed over the
years out of the needs of U.S. corporate interests,
is shown by the position taken by the Democrats.
The Democratic Party has never opposed or criticized the ultimate goal of the Bush policy — political domination of the Middle East and control of its oil — only the way in which the Republicans attempted to accomplish it.
As the Democratic candidate for president in 2004, John Kerry didn’t criticize Bush because it was immoral to invade Iraq in order to steal its resources and profit U.S. companies. He asked for votes because he said he had a plan that could make the occupation a success rather than a failure.
The Democrats fail to offer a real foreign policy alternative because they function as the political expression of corporate interests the same as the Republicans. They literally can’t afford to devise any policy that might limit opportunities for U.S. corporations to profit because they rely on the financial backing of those same corporate interests.
The average people of Iraq, the workers of every ethnic group and religion, are caught in the middle of the global economic conflict that is now centered in their country, and suffer most from it.
American soldiers fighting in Iraq are themselves workers who had few economic opportunities other than the military. Other joined up for the education benefits because that was the only way they could afford college.
The workers of Iraq and the workers of America are not enemies. Why should we kill each other fighting for the interests of those who are robbing both our peoples?
Common interest of workers of Iraq, America & all nations
Working Democracy is the program that builds upon the common interest workers of every nation have in working together for the benefit of all.
A Working Democracy at home will provide Americans with the incentive to join our common effort with that of the other peoples of the world. While they can provide the natural resources we need to produce goods and services, we can provide them with the technology they need to build prosperous and secure societies.
When people have economic security, and the opportunity for education and training to become productive citizens actively engaged in the daily governing of society, their lives have purpose and meaning. The desperation and despair that breed conflict, war and terrorism are eliminated.
The cooperative economics of Working Democracy provides us the practical tools to make this rational, sensible global society a reality.
The Democratic Party has never opposed or criticized the ultimate goal of the Bush policy — political domination of the Middle East and control of its oil — only the way in which the Republicans attempted to accomplish it.
As the Democratic candidate for president in 2004, John Kerry didn’t criticize Bush because it was immoral to invade Iraq in order to steal its resources and profit U.S. companies. He asked for votes because he said he had a plan that could make the occupation a success rather than a failure.
The Democrats fail to offer a real foreign policy alternative because they function as the political expression of corporate interests the same as the Republicans. They literally can’t afford to devise any policy that might limit opportunities for U.S. corporations to profit because they rely on the financial backing of those same corporate interests.
The average people of Iraq, the workers of every ethnic group and religion, are caught in the middle of the global economic conflict that is now centered in their country, and suffer most from it.
American soldiers fighting in Iraq are themselves workers who had few economic opportunities other than the military. Other joined up for the education benefits because that was the only way they could afford college.
The workers of Iraq and the workers of America are not enemies. Why should we kill each other fighting for the interests of those who are robbing both our peoples?
Common interest of workers of Iraq, America & all nations
Working Democracy is the program that builds upon the common interest workers of every nation have in working together for the benefit of all.
A Working Democracy at home will provide Americans with the incentive to join our common effort with that of the other peoples of the world. While they can provide the natural resources we need to produce goods and services, we can provide them with the technology they need to build prosperous and secure societies.
When people have economic security, and the opportunity for education and training to become productive citizens actively engaged in the daily governing of society, their lives have purpose and meaning. The desperation and despair that breed conflict, war and terrorism are eliminated.
The cooperative economics of Working Democracy provides us the practical tools to make this rational, sensible global society a reality.