Submitted by Donna McDaniel, Mar 21, 2008 11:32

03/20/08

It appears that VP Cheney has forgotten or doesn't care (re the "so" comment) that both he and President Bush were elected by the people of the United States and are answerable to them for the decisions they make in their behalf. It really doesn't matter now what their 'reasons' were in promoting the Iraq invasion; however, it is their responsibility to weigh the costs (financially, militarily, personally) against the actual benefits gained from this war and its effect on the people of this Nation. Are the people of the US better off today because of this war? (I don't buy the 'safer' argument since it is very difficult to prove. Even if it is a valid argument, couldn't we have been just as safe by protecting our borders and ports - which we should be doing anyway?) If approximately 60% (from polls) of the American people are against continuing the war, the whole war situation should be reevaluated with the interests of the American people since Americans-present and future-are the ones indebted to pay for it and will be affected by it for a long time to come. It is the duty and responsibility of our elected leaders to be accountable for their decisions on the behalf of the American people. Shouldn't the American people decide if we want or can "win a victory against radical Islamic extremism"? To continue a policy in direct opposition to the 'will of the majority' is anathema to the principles of democracy. Leaders who disregard the desires and concerns of the people they govern are at best egocentric or arrogant and at worst dictatorial or delusional.

Donna McDaniel

Kennesaw, GA

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.