Let the Iraqi's Experience the power of Democracy - Vote the U.S. out.

The argument over a withdrawal from Iraq seems to be whether or not it would be better for the Iraqi people if we pulled out. Clearly, it's in our own best interest to leave and leave now but the fact remains, we went into Iraq and destroyed the infrastructure of that country. We have exposed it to invasion from outside forces and incapacitated it's leadership structure. The fledgling Iraqi government is most likely incapable of restoring order and surviving without U.S. support. Our withdrawal could spark a bloody civil war and produce a government so overtly hostile that we may have to return to re-fight the same war at some point in the future. I believe we should leave but I would like to know what the Iraqi people think. The reports are that 80% of the people in Iraq feel that America is an occupying force and they condone violence against our troops to force us out.

If this is true then I see no reason why we can't ask the Iraqi's to vote on whether or not they want us to stay. If we truly believe in Democratic principles, I can see no other way to prove it than offering the Iraqi people a chance to be heard on this issue. I do believe this will spark a wave of violence and would require a temporary buildup of at least 50k more troops to maintain some semblance of order. I also do not believe the U.S. should oversee this vote as we have lost a lot of credibility. I think we should send Jr. down to the U.N. and personally beseech the delegates of the member nations to help monitor the election and grant them special powers to ensure that it's fair. If the Iraqi's wish us to stay, we stay and protect their country until we are asked to leave. We also need to make it clear that the new Iraqi Government has the power to request a U.S. withdrawal.

If the Iraqi's wish us to withdrawal, we agree and begin an immediate draw-down of forces until the number reaches 20k troops which will remain stationed at a number of military bases around the country. U.S. forces will be prohibited from leaving these bases and any Iraqi approaching them will be arrested and turned over to the Iraqi government to serve a mandatory prison sentence. These bases will remain occupied until it is clear that Iraq is stable and safe from outside invasion. The world must know that any attack on Iraq is an attack on America and will not be permitted. The U.S. will be banned from conducting any military exercises that do not relate to protecting the bases. The current no-fly zone over Iraq will continue until such time as the Iraqi air-force can be reconstituted and they can provide for their own air security. The initial draw down will be completed within 3 months after the election and the bases will stay operational until they can be turned over to the Iraqi government.

I can see no harm in asking the people of Iraq what they want nor can I see any danger in allowing them to practice democracy, even if it's just this one time. If Iraq is to be a true Democracy, the will of the people must be served and that includes asking them which direction they want us to take. This is their country and their government, if they do not want us to help, they can tell us easy enough. Let their purple thumbs stand for not only as a testament to democracy but signify their independence from foriegn rule. It's time to stop being hypocrites and start practicing what we preach. I say, let them vote us out if that's what they want.

Bushy wants to spread democracy - let's see how he reacts to democracy in action!

With international poll monitors.

Good idea!

I suggest the first thing we should do, is make an attempt to regain control of our own gov't...because it is obvious, that while * is in charge...HE will do as HE wants...not what WE want...
* didn't care whether the Iraqi's wanted Saddam removed...this "war" was NOT about what THEY wanted...it was about what HE (and the PNAC) wanted...
I believe * has already indicated that we "have to stay the course, that nothing short of total victory (whateverthehell that means)is acceptable"...the only thing that will bring the troops home, is if HIS party begins to view Iraq as a threat to their control of this country..(think election 2006)
This was never about liberating Iraqi's, or bringing them Democracy...it WAS about getting a permanent foothold (bases)right smack in the center of the ME...
IF we can't believe the voting results in this country...what makes anyone think that a decision made by an Iraqi vote, is untainted?
I believe the Iraqi's have already told us what they wish we would do/leave...and how they feel about us being there/occupiers...what more do we need?
windbreeze

(edited for punctuation)

i completely agree that a referendum of the Iraqi people should be held on whether they want to US to stay or go ... this referendum should be held, but won't be, at the same time next months elections are held ... the vote would be overwhelmingly in favor of kicking the US out of THEIR country ...

but, even if the Iraqi wanted the US to stay, the choice should not only be up to them ... the American people should also have an opportunity to determine whether we want to remain engaged in this war ... i believe most do not ... of course, the American refendum should occur only in the unlikely event that the Iraqis vote to have us stay ... close to 2100 have already died and another 16000 severely injured ... we're approaching the 3 year mark and things are getting much worse in Iraq, not better ... we'll end up being there 5 years from now or maybe 10 if this is allowed to continue ... the American people, not just the Iraqi people, should have a say too ...

and one last point ... you said that even if the US withdraws, we should keep 20,000 troops on US bases INSIDE Iraq ... i believe we should not build or occupy permanent bases there ... we have no right to be there ... this plays right into what bush wants to do in Iraq ... he's hoping to retain a low profile presence to procure oil and protect oil pipelines ... Iraq is NOT our country and we have no right to occupy it ...

given the realities of what the Iraqi people want and what the American people want and the total failure by bush to get the job done, we have no choice but to get out as rapidly as we possibly can while ensuring the safety of the troops ... according to Congressman Murtha, this should not take more than a maximum of 6 months to complete ... the process should begin immediately ...