Begin at the bottom

The Nation, perhaps the oldest continuously published news and opinion magazine in this country, takes this position in its Nov. 28, 2005 issue:

Everything that needs to be known is now known: The reasons the Bush Administration gave for the American war in Iraq were all falsehoods or deceptions, and every day the US occupation continues deepens the very problems it was supposed to solve. Therefore there can no longer be any doubt: The war - an unprovoked, unnecessary and unlawful invasion that has turned into a colonial-style occupation - is a moral and political catastrophe. As such it is a growing stain on the honor of every American who acquiesces, actively or passively, in its conduct and continuation.

The war has also become the single greatest threat to our national security. Its human and economic costs are spiraling out of control, with no end in sight. It has driven America's reputation in the world to a historic low point.
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The Nation therefore takes the following stand: We will not support any candidate for national office who does not make a speedy end to the war in Iraq a major issue of his or her campaign. We urge all voters to join us in adopting this position.

Many worry that the aftermath of withdrawal will be ugly, but we can now see that the consequences of staying will be uglier still. Fear of facing the consequences of Bush's disaster should not be permitted to excuse the creation of a worse disaster by continuing the occupation.

I ask: why not extend this demand to all candidates for state and local offices, right down to the measliest community services district board of directors?

Many incumbents and challengers and plain old candidates won’t want to do this. Taking a position guarantees few friends, but many enemies.

True, getting anyone on the record will give campaigners a whip flog the nay-sayers for this race and any future race.

I say this because it is clear a late Vietnam-era mood is growing in this country.
Making every candidate stake out a position, nake their position clear, will let the voters start building from the bottom up a more sensible government structure, one that would work against any future GWB wannabes. -- Tom Nadeau