Kucinich Questions Corruption In Afghanistan War
What is the point of the war in Afghanistan anymore? Is it to drive out the Taliban and Al Quaeda? After almost 10 years of war, those groups are increasing, not decreasing, their strength.
Is it to capture Mullah Omar and Osama Bin Laden? Those two individuals are believed to be in Pakistan, not Afghanistan.
Is the war now supposed to be a tool for the improvement of the lives of the people of Afghanistan? This week, Representative Dennis Kucinich called into question this justification for continued fighting by the U.S. military in Afghanistan as well. Kucinich noted reports of frequent, pervasive corruption in the national Afghan government – the government that American soldiers are fighting to protect. Kucinich said, in a statement submitted to the Congressional Record:
“A May 2009 report by the United Nations estimates that the majority of the Afghan population lives in poverty, despite the country having received almost 40 billion in aid between 2002 and 2009. The report blames widespread corruption and abuse of power as a main cause of Afghan suffering, leaving ordinary people without even the most basic services.
If we accept the premise that we need to be in Afghanistan until corruption falls by the wayside, we will be in Afghanistan forever. We cannot afford to continue pouring billions of dollars in Afghanistan to prop up a hopelessly corrupt Afghan central government. It is time to end this war.”
Thanks for work on this issue. I feel that no war. No guns would be what we stand for! It is so sad that we cannot learn from our mistakes but continue killing each other and for what?
Indeed, we must end this war and Obama should order the military troops to go back. This war in Afghanistan is a futile war. It will not bring us any good. Instead, it will cause our debts to soar high and will cost our soldiers’ lives.
Kudos to Dennis Kucinich for continuing to be one of the few consistent brave voices in Congress to speak out against these illegal and immoral “wars.” Let’s start calling an occupation an occupation. It’s time to bring our troops home, do our part to rebuild the infrastructure that we destroyed, and re-think our place in the world. How about becoming a leader on energy efficiency and renewable energy?
Get us OUT of the Mideast now! We are spending billions and dollars and killing our soldiers! Bring them home now! NO MORE MIDEAST WARS!!!