This is from Representative Nolan's weekly letter. I agree completely:
Dear Mr. King,
After almost 17 years, it’s time to bring American troops home from Afghanistan and put an end the longest war in our Nation’s history. The Founders established America’s military for our own national defense – not as a force to be spread around the world propping up corrupt dictatorships under the guise of fighting terrorism. And not to be deployed anywhere without the consent of Congress, a clear definition of “victory,” and a strategy for achieving it.
What’s more, it’s time for the President to flatly and permanently reject a reckless plan he is reportedly considering to privatize the Afghan conflict, and turn the U.S role over to billionaire war profiteer Erik Prince, 6000 mercenary fighters, and a 90 plane private air force paid for with American taxpayer dollars. As bad ideas go, this one sits at or near the top of the list.
What’s more, it’s time for the President to flatly and permanently reject a reckless plan he is reportedly considering to privatize the Afghan conflict, and turn the U.S role over to billionaire war profiteer Erik Prince, 6000 mercenary fighters, and a 90 plane private air force paid for with American taxpayer dollars. As bad ideas go, this one sits at or near the top of the list.
First and foremost, it would be immoral and wrong for our Nation to ever support or be involved in a war waged solely for private profit – where those in charge only make money by perpetuating an endless conflict at a cost of tens of thousands of civilian lives and terrible destruction. That’s not who we are as Americans.
And to be clear, no private contractor should ever be permitted to make national security decisions for the United States, either at home or abroad. Yet under Prince’s plan, the President would appoint a special “envoy” to command the operation and somehow rally the Afghan people and their army to defeat the Taliban and end Afghanistan’s civil war. If we have learned nothing else from endless wars of choice in the Middle East that will, according to credible estimates, cost our Nation nearly $16 trillion over the next three decades, along with thousands of precious lives, it’s that civil wars can’t be settled by outside forces.
Last but far from least, an unchecked private army, supported by the U.S. and let loose in Afghanistan, would be far more likely to exploit local resources and cause needless loss of civilian lives to run up the profits. The result would be even more hostility toward America, with more young people encouraged to join the Taliban and other terrorist groups. Congress must not and cannot permit this to happen.
And to be clear, no private contractor should ever be permitted to make national security decisions for the United States, either at home or abroad. Yet under Prince’s plan, the President would appoint a special “envoy” to command the operation and somehow rally the Afghan people and their army to defeat the Taliban and end Afghanistan’s civil war. If we have learned nothing else from endless wars of choice in the Middle East that will, according to credible estimates, cost our Nation nearly $16 trillion over the next three decades, along with thousands of precious lives, it’s that civil wars can’t be settled by outside forces.
Last but far from least, an unchecked private army, supported by the U.S. and let loose in Afghanistan, would be far more likely to exploit local resources and cause needless loss of civilian lives to run up the profits. The result would be even more hostility toward America, with more young people encouraged to join the Taliban and other terrorist groups. Congress must not and cannot permit this to happen.
We will keep you posted as events proceed. Meanwhile, I want to hear your thoughts. Feel free to contact any of our offices listed below or send me an email.
Sincerely,
Comments
Post a Comment