Letters to the Editor - Iraq

A war to nowhere

Wilmette Life
November 2, 2006

Mark Kirk (R, IL-10) is touting his amendment that prevented Alaska senator Ted Stevens from getting his $125 million "bridge to nowhere."

Now compare that $125 million to the unaccounted $8.8 BILLION of Iraq reconstruction money that the U.S. Inspector General reported in September 2005. It couldn't have all been used to throw lavish Super Bowl parties for contractor executives, could it?

Why hasn't Kirk, the self-described "thoughtful, independent" leader, done anything to investigate this travesty? Kirk hasn't sponsored a single bill on this or even issued a press release. Kirk and his GOP pals have nixed every effort made by Democrats to investigate what happened to that money and to make sure it doesn't happen again.

His silence and inaction reveal his true loyalty - not to his constituents and the taxpayers who fund the government, but to the GOP and George W Bush.

We need someone who will speak up on one of the most critical issues of our time -- Iraq. Mark Kirk has proven that he can't be trusted with that responsibility.

Dan Seals, the Democratic candidate, is committed to fiscal responsibility and a change from our current disastrous course in Iraq. Its time for the tenth district to be truly represented again in Congress, and Dan Seals is the best candidate by far.

Susmitha Bellam
Wilmette

Kirk, Iraq, GOP Congress all linked

Daily Herald
October 3, 2006

Rep. Mark Kirk has finally realized that there is a race on in the 10th Congressional District. The demographics of this district have dramatically changed, as has the mood of previously supportive voters.
Mark has his volunteers working overtime to get positive letters in the paper all claiming his moderate, and now, independent approach to issues. I’ve read the letters, and they all ignore the fact that Republican Kirk is the Assistant Majority Whip of the U.S. Congress, and he has voted 90 percent of the time with the GOP. How can that be viewed as independent or moderate?

Why aren’t his supporters talking about his unwavering support for the war in Iraq, or the cuts to veterans‚ benefits he voted for, or the great support he has given to fellow Republican politicians, many of whom are ultra-conservative and have effectively eviscerated the environmental issues that are so dear to Kirk?

If you support Kirk, you support the war in Iraq and you support his “stay the course” mentality. If you believe he should be re-elected you believe the Republican Congress has done a good job.

Or maybe you just haven‚t met Dan Seals, his Democratic opponent. Meet him, and then decide who will make the better legislator for our district. The 10th District deserves someone who really does represent our values and our hopes. Not someone who pretends to.

Carol Jones
Lake Forest

Wondering where Kirk stands on Iraq

Daily Herald
August 12, 2006

I recently visited Rep. Mark Kirk's Web site to gain some insight as to issues he is working on. To my dismay, I found not one word on the occupation of Iraq.

America's enemies have become more confident because of the failure of the Bush Administration to produce regime change in Iraq. Over 30,000 Iraqi citizens have been killed in the past seven months; thousands of brave American soldiers have been killed or wounded. The Iraq occupation is a very important issue to me; I believe my congressman should address the subject.

Mr. Kirk may feel the war was justified and is just not going well. Therefore, he does not want to talk about it. However, for my congressman to not include Iraq as an important issue, troubles me.

This issue will not go away by not talking about it. Rep. Kirk has consistently supported the Bush Administration in its plans for the invasion and continued occupation of Iraq. He should stand up tell the voters of the 10th Congressional District his plans for ending our involvement from this national and international tragedy.

Rep. Kirk's silence on Iraq can only mean his support of the war was more for political ambition and ideological reasons than about the war itself.

Stop your silence Mr. Kirk. Take a stand publicly one way or the other.

Tom Jennings
Northfield

Paid for by Dan Seals for Congress

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