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Resolution on Iraq
APPROVED by the Washington State Democratic Party in a vote of 102 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstentions, September 28, 2002.
Context
So rich and powerful a democracy as the United States might be expected to show the world the way to problem-solving by rule of law, not force. How tragic, in consequence, is the very different course the Bush administration has taken in dealing with the world community, in particular promoting war against Iraq.
In their continued political discourse the citizens of the United States are experiencing great uncertainty as to why this war is being promoted.
Resolution
WHEREAS the Bush Administration, in dealing with Iraq and in other ways, has shown a cavalier disregard for the views of nearly all other nations and the United Nations;
WHEREAS the President on September 20 promulgated a new national-defense strategy to include preemptive military action by the United States against states and groups thought to be a threat;
WHEREAS President Bush is seeking congressional authorization to wage war against Iraq;
WHEREAS the United States is engaged with its allies in a global struggle against terrorism in all its forms;
WHEREAS a top priority of the foreign policy of the United States must be to win that struggle against terrorism, and the course of action proposed by the Bush Administration threatens this goal;
WHEREAS the President has shown a consistent preference for resolving international disputes by force rather than peaceful means;
WHEREAS the President has no plan for rebuilding and governing Iraq if its present regime has been destroyed;
WHEREAS the Democratic Party leadership in Congress has maintained an open mind about whether to support the Administration while we wait for concrete evidence that there is no alternative;
WHEREAS the Bush Administration has characterized those who disagree with its position on the issue of war as unpatriotic;
WHEREAS the Democratic Party, a party of patriots, has long stood for the freedom of speech and open public debate of important national issues;
WHEREAS we support the actions of Congressman Jim McDermott to continue his open public debate and encourage all Democratic leaders to join in this discussion:
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the Washington State Democratic Party strongly believes that the United States must not strike out unilaterally to force regime change in Iraq or any other nation, and such unilateral action would call into question the legitimacy of the United States as the chief proponent of the rule of law and as a leader of nations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any course of military action by the Bush administration must follow the Constitutional requirement of congressional approval, as well as consultation with the United Nations Security Council.
And we further call upon U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Congressmen Jay Inslee, Rick Larsen, Brian Baird, Norm Dicks, Jim McDermott, and Adam Smith to oppose any congressional resolution or legislative declaration of war that contravenes the intent of this resolution.
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