WFP Resolution on the War in Iraq

Passed unanimously at the WFP State Convention:

Working Families Party Resolution on the War in Iraq

WHEREAS the Working Families Party honors our men and women in uniform, and recognizes the heroism of their sacrifices;

WHEREAS the Working Families Party adopted a statement opposing military action in Iraq in January 2003, and adopted a statement in June 2004 reiterating that opposition and calling for the prompt return of all troops;

WHEREAS two years have since passed, and many supposed benchmarks of progress have been met, including the return of Iraqi sovereignty, the adoption of a Constitution, two sets of elections, and the inauguration of the Iraqi parliament, yet there has been no significant reduction in the American military presence or American casualties;

WHEREAS the U.S. military is the best in the world at its work, but building stable governments in foreign lands is not that work;

WHEREAS 2,500 service members have been killed, and 18,000 wounded in action;

WHEREAS the war has already cost over $285 billion, money that is desperately needed for services for working Americans, including homeland security, education, health care, rebuilding our cities, and protecting our environment;

WHEREAS the continued occupation and the prospect of a permanent U.S. military presence in Iraq contribute to anti-American sentiment in Iraq and throughout the region;

WHEREAS an immediate withdrawal of all U.S. troops would not be easy, but the costs and dangers of an indefinite occupation are much worse;

WHEREAS the war in Iraq was founded on lies, immoral in intent, incompetent in execution, counterproductive in effect, and inimical to American interests;

WHEREAS the continuing occupation, despite its enormous human and financial costs, is contributing nothing to American security or Iraqi well-being;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Working Families Party expresses its profound gratitude and admiration for the men and women in uniform;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Working Families Party urges the adoption of a new GI Bill to assist veterans and military families with their education, healthcare, childcare, housing and other needs;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all U.S. troops be withdrawn from Iraq as fast as possible consistent with their safety, with full withdrawal no later than the end of 2006;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congress should immediately pass legislation to this effect, such as H.R. 543 (Abercrombie), H.J.R. 73 (Murtha) or H.C.R. 348 (Thompson), and S.C. 93 (Harkin), S. 36 (Kerry), or a similar measure to be introduced by Sen. Feingold.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Congress should state that American policy is not to maintain permanent military bases in Iraq, and should pass legislation prohibiting the use of funds for that purpose, as provided for in H.C.R. 348 (Thompson), H.C.R 197 (Lee), H.R. 3142 (Allen), and S.C. 93 (Harkin);

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the absence of a commitment from the Bush administration to a prompt withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Iraq, Congress should pass a measure cutting off funds for further operations there, such as H.R. 4232 (McGovern);

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Working Families Party strongly opposes military action against Iran or any other country in the Middle East in the absence of a direct, immediate threat to the United States, and that in our view the Iranian nuclear program does not rise to that level;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the best way to support our troops is to bring them home now.

###