Reply #5: That's not a clear picture. [View All]

Look at Kerry's own words.
www.johnkerry.com

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The Kerry Plan offers something else the Bush Administration never has – an honest explanation of how these costs can be met.  With Senator Biden, Senator Kerry is asking Congress to roll back the Bush tax cut for the wealthiest Americans – asking them to help protect our future by sacrificing some of their tax cuts at a time when our soldiers in Iraq are still sacrificing their lives.

The Bush Administration betrayed America's trust by not having this kind of plan in place before it took the nation to war.  Real leadership demands that we take these four steps now:
1. Share the military risk and cost.  Show leadership at the United Nations by leading the creation of a UN military force under U.S. Command.  The U.S. Military will still be in charge, but other big nations will send troops – they've said so – to relieve our overstretched soldiers.

2.  Share the cost and responsibility of reconstruction.  Show that we understand real partnership by reaching out to our allies, rebuilding the good will we   squandered, and asking the UN to do what it has done well from Kosovo to East Timor by putting Iraqi governance and reconstruction under UN authority. It's not necessary for the U.S. to go it alone on rebuilding Iraq's institutions and meeting humanitarian needs – and we shouldn't have to.

3. Get going to train and equip a serious Iraqi security force.  Just recruiting untrained soldiers and police does not create security – in fact, it creates insecurity. Extensive training and monitoring is vital, just as they are for new officers in any city police force.  And reliable Iraqi forces are the key to minimizing the risks to U.S. forces while allowing for the successful reconstruction of the country – there's no way around it.  Again, we don't have to do this without help from our friends – but we do have to ask our friends for help.

4. Give a clear timetable of benchmarks for turning power back to Iraqis quickly.  Like anyone else, Iraqis want to know what the future holds.  Washington should tell them – with a phased transfer of responsibility as Iraqi leaders and institutions are ready for it.  Those institutions may not be perfect, but Iraqis will own them – and thank America.