A Congressional Candidate Gets Afghanistan Right

Marcy Winograd, candidate in the 2010 Democratic primary election for CA Congressional District 36, currently occupied by Jane Harman, has issued the following statement regarding the U.S. presence in Afghanistan:

“President Obama recently announced that he will not make decisions about troop levels in Afghanistan ‘without having absolute clarity about what the strategy is going to be’. It has also been reported that a leaked assessment memo by General Stanley Mc Chrystal, is urging more troops be sent to Afghanistan.”

“We all want to feel safe and secure, and know that our taxpayer dollars are not being wasted on perpetual wars that create new enemies. For these reasons, we must work for an exit strategy from Afghanistan and bring our troops home. Jane Harman recently voted to spend another $100 billion dollars to continue the occupation of Iraq, ship more troops to Afghanistan, and send drones to rain bombs on Pakistan -- a fragile nuclear-armed nation.”

“Some say we cannot afford to leave Afghanistan. In fact, my opponent argues we must eradicate corruption there because – ‘... the United States has invested too many troops and too much treasure to fail.’ I say - We cannot afford to stay in Afghanistan because we will bankrupt our country.”

“War and occupation breed corruption, so a policy of escalation in Afghanistan is at cross-purposes. If we really want to eradicate corruption in Afghanistan, then we should invest in humanitarian aid, not weapons that will kill innocent people and create more hatred toward us. Let us build schools, hospitals and houses -- not as an occupying power -- but as a global partner interested in shared prosperity and world stability.”

The stated purpose for invading Afghanistan was to bring the perpetrators of 9/11 to justice. After eight years, thousands of lost lives, and billions of dollars wasted, isn't it time to rethink Afghanistan?”

As a leader in the Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party, Marcy Winograd is organizing a Rethink Afghanistan forum at the next Executive Board meeting of the CDP, the weekend of November 13-15, in San Diego. This forum will coincide with discussion of a resolution to support the House bill calling for an exit strategy.