THE PEOPLE...NOPE, THE MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX, HAS SPOKEN

Last week, while vital social services to the needy are being cut and our infrastructure crumbles almost before our eyes, Congress voted down a chance to bring our bankrupting Afghanistan war to an end. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Dem, CA) offered an amendment to the 2013 Defense Appropriations Bill, that would have required the safe and responsible withdrawal of all US troops from Afghanistan. During a mere one hour debate, she pleaded with her colleagues to stop this "unconscionable" waste of American and Afghan lives. She pointed out that the vast majority of Americans want this murderous and failed venture stopped. Ironically, the 75% vote (312 to 107) to quash Lee's amendment is virtually the mirror opposite of the near 75% of Americans who want the war ended.


So, the $88.5 billion we will squander in Fiscal 2013 to bring more death and destruction to Afghanistan and American military personnel will proceed as planned. Why? Most Congressmen are either part of, or totally controlled by, the Military Industrial Complex, who demands the gravy train that feeds their wealth and power keep chugging along. Kudos to the 107 who voted with the people. Raspberries to the cowardly three quarters who didn't.

Also published in the Glen Ellyn Patch, July 25, 2012