Bush's Plan for Failure

The "New Way Forward" strategy announced by President Bush on Wednesday night sounds less like a new way forward than it does like more of the same.

Sending an additional 21,500 troops into Iraq represents an increase of less than 12% of the total Coalition forces currently present in Iraq. This seems to indicate that the increase is not about reducing the level of violence in Baghdad, but rather to inflame it. An increase of 21,500 is not enough force to make a difference on the ground, unless these troops are superbly and masterfully positioned and utilized according to the highest standards of military strategy. But this President is no student of military strategy much less a master of it.

This surge is an indication of the President's objectives - not to give peace a chance, but rather to create more war, more violence and fan hatred, not only in the MidEast, but also in the streets of America. With such conditions, the President can then claim greater power over the American people by enacting legislation providing the Administration with additional police powers thus nudging the American Republic further into totalitarianism.

Thus, to summarize, two possibilities are apparent:

1. If these surge troops are strategically deployed and precisely utilized the level of violence in Iraq will decrease over the next six months.

Or,

2. The surge of troops is intended to increase the level of violence in Iraq and the Mideast, create greater strife and tension in the homes and streets of the US thereby allowing the Administration to force through legislation granting it greater control over the American people and further eroding the rights, freedoms and liberties we cherish.

Even if the best scenario develops, unfortunate effects will occur in the US. Every long war is destructive to a democracy increasing the powers of the state, consolidating its power over the people and reducing the people's ability to exercise their rights and enjoy their liberties. Every long war reduces the people's rights while redistributing power and wealth to the government and those who hold the reins of power.

Even if the best occurs in Iraq, the American people will suffer, seeing greater intrusions upon their freedoms and reduced ability for the average person to achieve the American Dream.