SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! DEFUND THE WAR!

A NOTE FROM YOUR NATIONAL
PEACE & JUSTICE CAUCUS CHAIR

"Talking Points" by Military Families Speak Out.
Please listen to the Families of Our Dedicated Military Service Personnel.

Dear Peace & Justice Caucus Friends:

Below are talking points from Military Families Speak Out--Why defunding the war supports our troops. Contact your Congressman. Important debates are going on now and the issue of funding is coming up soon.

Submitted Respectfully,

Rhonda Hanson

Rhonda Hanson,
NEA Peace & Justice Caucus Chair

TALKING POINTS FOR YOU

• In the November elections, the American people made clear their overwhelming opposition to the war in Iraq.
• Congress can hold hearings, debate and even pass legislation on the war, but none of these will bring the war to an end. Congress’ real power lies in their control over funding for the war and their ability to cut off funds except for those that are needed to bring our troops home quickly and safely.
• Unless Congress acts, the war will continue. The Bush administration has made it clear that they have no intention of ending the war and bringing our troops home.
• Every day that the war continues, on average, three U.S. troops and countless Iraqi children, women and men die.
• December 31, 2006 marked the death of the 3,000th U.S. troop in Iraq. If the U.S. military occupation continues through 2007, we expect 800-1,000 more U.S. troops and 180,000 more Iraqis will die.
• In February or March, 2007, an appropriations bill will come before Congress seeking approximately $130 billion dollars to continue the war in Iraq.
• Senators and Members of Congress cannot simultaneously oppose and fund this war.
• Congress must vote against any further appropriation that will continue the war in Iraq.

DE-FUNDING THE WAR DOES NOT MEAN DE-FUNDING THE TROOPS

• In September, 2006 Congress approved $70 billion for the war in Iraq, money that is currently available to the military. This is more than enough to ensure the troops have what they need (armor, protective equipment, weapons, ammunition, food, water, supplies, vehicles, etc) to come home quickly and safely. If more funds are needed, monies in the Department of Defense budget could be re-programmed for that purpose. In short, the resources are available; what is needed now is your political will to end the war.
• It is the Bush administration that has not supported our troops. They were sent off to fight a war based on lies without proper armor, equipment and supplies. The Bush administration has not allocated sufficient monies to provide the medical and psychological support for our troops when they return home or help them transition back to civilian life - including funding for education and job programs.
• The most supportive thing that Congress can do for our troops is to end the funding for this disastrous, unjust and unjustifiable war.

DE-FUNDING THE WAR AND PULLING U.S. TROOPS OUT IS
ESSENTIAL TO BRINGING PEACE TO IRAQ

• There is chaos and civil war in Iraq now. The U.S. military occupation of Iraq is not the solution, it is the problem. It is a major source of the violence in Iraq.
• The Iraqi people in overwhelming numbers have expressed a desire for the U.S. military occupation to end.
• Ending the U.S. military occupation is a pre-requisite to any real attempts for peace in Iraq.
• The U.S. has a responsibility to contribute financially to the re-building of Iraq. But that responsibility can not be carried out by a U.S. military occupying force or by contractors such as Halliburton.

HONOR THE FALLEN, END THE WAR NOW!

• The continued war in Iraq will mean more deaths, more wounded, and more troops suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
• The only thing worse than having so many die in a war that should never have happened is to have this war claim even more lives.
• Those who have already fallen in this war will best be honored by a nation and a Congress with the courage to end the war.