Florida Veterans for Common Sense: No to $33 Billion to Escalate War

TELL CONGRESS: "NO MONEY FOR THE AFGHANISTAN TROOP ESCALATION"
By http://www.floridaveteransforcommonsense.org

Soon Congress will be voting on a war supplemental of $33 billion to fund President Obama's troop escalation in Afghanistan, as well as a proposed defense budget of over $700 billion which includes $159 billion for "Overseas Contingency Operations" in Iraq and Afghanistan.  This is a 3.4 percent increase over the 2010 budget, yet programs for education, housing, transportation and the environment are being frozen. The money for Iraq and Afghanistan could be better spent at home to create jobs. We know this budget reflects the priorities of the Pentagon and not the American people.

Make our voice heard. We ask that every member and friend of Florida Veterans for Common Sense contact your representative and ask them to vote against funding the troop escalation in Afghanistan. FLVCS will be FAXing and personally delivering a letter to the members of the Florida congressional delegation on the issue.

Please advise by reply Email if you will deliver the FLVCS letter and Resolution in opposition to funding the troop escalation to your representative's local office. We need at least one volunteer in each congressional district.

We need to flood their offices and make our message heard!

We will provide you with the FLVCS letter and Resolution and "talking points" that you can use when the letter is delivered. Please participate in order to help our country, our troops, and the people of Afghanistan.

__________________

"It looks like a bloodbath down there...What the hell is going on?" My Lai, Vietnam
  
FLVCS Letter to Congress April 26, 2010

Congressman Vern Buchanan
218 Cannon HOB
Washington DC 20515
VIA FAX (202) 225-3376

Dear Congressman Buchanan,

As you know, Florida Veterans for Common Sense, Inc. has adopted a resolution in opposition to funding the troop escalation in Afghanistan. It is enclosed for your review.

Before the Memorial Day recess, a vote will come before Congress on this issue. FLVCS calls on you to vote against the bill in the national interest of the United States and to support constitutional government.

It is the obligation of Congress under the Constitution to declare war and to fund war.

Instead of performing its Constitutional obligation in recent years, Congress has weakened the institution by delegating these functions to the executive. The result has been the Iraq fiasco and a failed occupation in Afghanistan.

The pattern is continuing under President Obama. He has commenced a troop escalation in Afghanistan that Congress has not yet funded. Congress should reassert its Constitutional authority by not funding the escalation.

What is the mission? Is it “nation building” or a means for war profiteers to grasp more taxpayer money? In any event, an escalation of the conflict is contrary to the overall national interest of the United States. There is no exit strategy and if this supplemental funding passes, it will be only a down payment.

At this time, there is no good reason to send more troops to Afghanistan. General Petraeus says Al Qaeda is no longer operating there. Years ago, the Taliban were overthrown and replaced by the Karzai government, which is undemocratic and corrupt. Now, the Afghan people prefer a negotiated solution to the conflict, not more military operations. And now, many, if not most, Afghans view American troops as an occupying force and a threat to their safety.

It is fiscally irresponsible to fund the counterproductive Afghanistan escalation. Do those who favor funding escalation seriously contend that America is made stronger by borrowing money from China to then waste it in Afghanistan?  If Congress is going to borrow and spend, let’s create jobs at home.

Sincerely,
Gene Jones
President, Florida Veterans for Common Sense, Inc.

_______________________                                    

FLVCS Resolution against funding the escalation

A Resolution in Opposition to the Troop Escalation for Afghanistan.

Whereas, the United States economy is in the worst condition since the Great Depression with unemployment rising to tragic and dangerous levels.

Whereas, home foreclosures are at record highs and unless the economy improves more Americans will become homeless and forced to live in tent cities.

Whereas, President Obama has decided to escalate the number troops in Afghanistan by 30,000, which is projected to cost $40 to $50 billion, or more, annually.

Whereas, the cost of the escalation alone in Afghanistan could provide more than 500,000 construction jobs in America.

Whereas, the Afghanistan government is in place after a fraudulent election and is rife with corruption and maladministration.

Whereas, many military functions are contracted to private mercenary companies that often results in waste and corruption.

Whereas, National Security Advisor Retired General James L. Jones estimates less than 100 Al Qaeda operate in Afghanistan and he doesn’t foresee an immediate danger of Afghanistan falling to the Taliban.

Whereas, many Afghans, perhaps the majority, do not want American troops in their country.

Whereas, the American presence in Afghanistan is often counterproductive and weakens our national security by creating terrorists faster than they can be killed.

Whereas, America can not afford deficit spending to fund military operations in Afghanistan when the money can be better spent at home to generate employment and build our own infrastructure. 

Whereas, Congress has the sole Constitutional authority to declare war and fund military operations.

Wherefore, it is resolved that Florida Veterans for Common Sense Inc. calls on Congress:

    * Not to fund a troop escalation in Afghanistan and to support HR 3699 that blocks funding for the Afghan escalation.
    * To bring our troops home from Afghanistan forthwith.
    * To provide the opportunity for a separate debate and up-or-down vote on funding an increase in the number of troops in Afghanistan.

Adopted this 14th Day of January, 2010

S/ Harvey Gochberg
Secretary, Florida Veterans for Common Sense Inc.

Florida Veterans for Common Sense, Inc., 100 Wallace Ave., Suite 255, Sarasota, FL 34237  FLVeterans@aol.com