Call to Arms! House vote on $87 billion today!

[maha]

Moveon.org is trying to get 100,000 phone calls, emails, or faxes sent to Congress by the end of this week urging a no vote on the $87 billion. I sent this fax to my senators and representatives.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Senator Charles Schumer
Senator Hillary Clinton
Representative Nina Lowey

Dear Legislators:

A little over a year ago I wrote to you urging you to vote no on the Iraq War Resolution. It was obvious to me then that President Bush could not be trusted with unfettered power to use the military as he wished. You didn’t agree with me then; perhaps you do now.

Now I am urging you to vote no on the appropriation of $87 billion for Iraq.

I understand that the troops in Iraq need support. And there is no denying that we have a responsibility to the Iraqi people to help them get their country functioning again. Money will have to be spent.

But the Bush Administration cannot be trusted with that money. The White House is not soliciting the $87 million to support the troops or to help Iraq. That outrageously padded budget is part of the biggest money-laundering scheme in American history.

You want to follow the money? Here it goes -- from our pockets as taxpayers into the pockets of war profiteers like Halliburton, which will cycle a good part of the profit back to the Bush re-"election" effort and the GOP. No wonder the budget is padded — the more padding, the more money will end up in Bush’s 2004 war chest.

Senator John Edwards is right — the White House must be cut off. Congress must assume control, not just attempt oversight.
The Constitution clearly gives the power of the purse, including control of all military spending, to Congress. And I understand that in past wars and post-war programs, including the Marshall Plan, the President and Congress worked closely together to budget, appropriate, and distribute money. President Truman did not just accept congressional oversight to keep the spending; he insisted on it.

But Bush doesn't want to have to work with Congress, or the UN, or anyone else. He wants what he wants, and Congress is supposed to be a big rubber stamp. Bush must be forcefully told that he has no power under our Constitution to demand that Congress approves his spending plans without condition. A no vote on the $87 billion appropriation would serve notice.

Sincerely,
Barbara O’Brien

[ElsewheresDaughter]

1. NYers here's their phone #'s

You can reach them at:

Representative John E. Sweeney
DC Phone: [phone]

Senator Charles E. Schumer
DC Phone: [phone]

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
DC Phone: [phone]

[Jacobin]

2. Very well put

We are sailing against the wind here, but it's not the first time and it won't be the last time before these thugs are out of power.

[maha]

4. I think we have to keep trying

(singing)

No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march,
march into hell
For that heavenly cause ...

'Cept I'm leavin' out the "when I'm laid to my rest" part.

[imax2268]

3. Done...

sent off three letters just now...

I found this if anyone doesn't know who their reps are...

http://www.house.gov/

[ET Awful]

5. Kennedy is supposed to give a major address this morning

according to NPR.

He's supposed to go well beyond his comments a couple of weeks back. I can't wait to hear (or see transcripts) of what he has to say.

[maha]

6. Go Ted!

Notice that it's some of the old bulls in the Senate, like Byrd and Kennedy, who feel free to speak honestly about the Bushes. They're not calculating everything they do and say to support their future political careers.

[G_j]

7. Today is the day to make that call.

Demand accountability and new leadership. Giving these folks $$ to make things 'better' in Iraq, is like giving Ken Lay $$ to straighten out Enron.

[JewelDigger]

8. You can call your reps too!

This is a great letter - well done!

I called AND wrote my reps. Btw, as a reminder to people, the toll free number for the Capital Hill switchboard is 1-800-839-5276. Ask them to transfer you to your rep. CALL NOW!!! Operators are standing by...