Heath Shuler Helps America Set a New Course

In a post last week, I jumped to the conclusion that Heath Shuler would vote against the supplemental bill that creates a deadline for removing troops from Iraq. I was wrong. Damn it feels good to be wrong. I should be wrong more often.

Congressman Shuler, at his Asheville Citizen-Times blog writes,

“Earlier this week, we entered the fifth year of the war in Iraq. Throughout that time this Congress has provided the President with all the resources needed to wage this war. However, this body failed to provide any of the oversight he needed. Today, this Congress will correct that lack of oversight, while still providing our troops the funding they need and our military leaders the flexibility they require.

Today we say an open-ended commitment to this war is no longer acceptable. We say that we will no longer grant the President a blank check.

The war in Iraq has already lasted longer than World War I, World War II, and the Civil War. Continuing this war in the same manner with no accountability from the Administration or requirements on the Iraqi government is unacceptable.”

This kind of tough stand against the arrogant Bush administration is what is required if we ever hope to regain our standing in the world. While Bush threatens to veto this bill, House Democrats like Heath Shuler chose to take a stand, demanding that operational clarity take the place of Bush’s foggy lenses.

The political pressure in Washington was at its most intense since Shuler took office, and he chose well. He chose to change course in Iraq, and the status quo, stay-the-course conservatives are already gunning for him,

“The National Republican Campaign Committee accused Shuler, D-Waynesville, of caving to pressure from Democratic leaders and being bribed by measures providing money for agriculture disaster aid and other programs.
[...]
The free-market Club for Growth put him on its political hit list along with four other freshman Democrats for voting for the $124.3 billion bill, which includes more than $20 billion in what it labeled as “pork projects” and unnecessary spending.”

With the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also targeting Shuler, it’s time the progressive community rewarded good behavior. If you like the way Shuler’s voting, then toss him some money towards reelection. Charles Taylor and his comrades spent over $5 million trying to hold on to their seat, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they spent double that trying to get it back.

Shuler is coming to the aid of our troops and his country. That’s got to be worth twenty bucks. Here’s mine: “Thank you for your contribution! Your transaction confirmation number is #VSJA0EB2DEEB”.

More from Shuler’s blog:

“I have spoken to generals and troops on the ground, veterans and the families of those fighting. I have listened to my constituents, and I have prayed. I am confident that supporting this bill is the proper course of action. Soldiers support this bill. Generals support this bill. Veterans support this bill. The families of those fighting support this bill. A vote against this bill is a vote against our troops.”

Music to our ears, Congressman. Thanks for doing the right thing. We voted for change, and you’ve delivered.