My letter to Senator Voinovich after his "Nay" vote on S. 470

Senator Voinovich:
I see that you voted "Nay" on S. 470, to my disappointment and disgust.

I find it very odd that the "War in Iraq" is not listed in your drop-down menu of subjects. Polls show that for most Americans it is their number one concern. We went to the polls in November and sent a very strong message to Washington. We want our troops out of Iraq.

You're not listening to us. Do you think you belong to an aristocracy? Do you think your duty is to carry out your King's commands rather than to represent the people of your state? If you cannot reconcile your conscience to our will, you should resign.

We are the citizens of this country, the people whose taxes are paying your salary, the workers who have seen billions of their tax dollars go missing in the sordid mess of corruption and incompetence that is Iraq. We are the people whose sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives and friends are trapped in Iraq while it dissolves into sectarian conflict. We are the Americans who were lied to about the reasons for invading Iraq.

You need to understand something. You may believe, against all evidence, that there is still a chance for President Bush to "spread" democracy in Iraq if he is allowed to take whatever measures he wants. Whether or not you are right, it is too late. You have lost the American people on this, and you are not going to get them back, because Iraq is going to continue to be a place of chaos and killing for the forseeable future.

President Bush has forfeited the right to our patience and trust. He has earned himself a reputation as a liar and incompetent. I can't emphasize this enough: HE DOESN'T GET ANY MORE CHANCES! Too bad he wasted the vast power he once commanded. Now that he has no more leadership to offer, he should resign for the good of America and his party. But I'm sure you know by now that his number 1st, 2nd, 3rd ...1,000th priorities are George W. Bush and his legacy.

He cannot carry on this war without the support of the American people. He simply cannot do it. You would do well to recognize this reality and play a part in speeding up the withdrawal of American troops, that we, the citizens you represent, have decided is the best of our bad options in Iraq.

Cowalker