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Printer-Friendly ModeAmericans lack control over war
September 17, 2007 —
You know what? It's great living in a democracy. Though we often take it for granted, having the right to control our own fates and the direction of the nation is amazing. I'm proud to be a part of this political system.
I am confused, however, over a rather large issue in contemporary America. I don't know how the Iraq war fits into the idea of democracy. Last time I checked, I never voted for it. In fact, for living in such a people-centric country, the people seem to have very little control over the war. And that scares me.
Rewind to four years ago, directly after 9/11. The country is in an uproar of patriotism. President Bush takes the (weak) mandate given to him by his supporters and starts sending troops overseas based on the principle of rooting out the terrorists responsible for those events.
As was his right, the president took measures to ensure that his first moves were covered in an element of surprise. Essentially, this meant starting a war and filling in the American people after the irreversible fact.
After a certain amount of time, the President's ability to fight freely was curtailed by his responsibility to gain approval from Congress. Thanks to the need to answer to Congress, the war has always been in check - a comforting thought regardless of the circumstances and the commander-in-chief. But there was still that missing factor. Why didn't the American people get a say?
Sure, there are a number of explanations for this. We voted the president into office. We voted into Congress people that are responsible for our country's well-being. Not a single action is taken that hasn't been mandated by the majority of the American people. Then again, mandates only go so far.
A couple of weeks ago, I saw a Doonesbury comic in the newspaper that depicted the White House in a bubble of ignorance. President Bush sat inside, commenting on how happy America was, while the Americans griped outside. Don't believe this little illustration? Let me point you to some facts.
Congress is by no means in full support of the war. In fact, funding bills for the defense budget often have to be packed in order to blackmail their way through the system. Over the past few years, popular support of the war has shrunk, and dissent has quickly risen.
Presidential candidates from both sides of the fence are now building their platforms on how to "fix" or "end" the war, instead of how to maintain and win it. Every brief on the war's progress is a chance for the administration to re-make their position on why we should still be involved in a war.
I'm not trying to pick a side in the argument over the where's and why's of the war. In fact, I have no strong opinion either way, and would be likely to side with the majority's informed opinion. But when do we get to form that opinion? When do we get to have the say our nation says we are entitled to have? When will our government come down and truly listen to what we're saying?
As a college student, I personally feel helpless to take any action in this unfolding conflict, regardless of my opinion on the matter.
It's scary and frustrating that we continue to supply the lives and taxes that make this war possible, but have no way of controlling the process. Aren't we a democracy? Does anyone know of any way to get our voices heard again? If there is a way, I don't see it.
I think the image of the White House in a bubble is fitting, and quite scary. Does anyone know how to get inside?