By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
On the heels of retirement announcements by U.S. Reps. Ray LaHood (R-IL), Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Deborah Pryce (R-OH), all ardent supporters of President Bushís unpopular policy in Iraq ñ Minnesota Congressman Jim Ramstad announced last week that he will follow suit.ÝIt seems as if Rep. Ramstad is just the latest supporter of the Presidentís Iraq policy to choose retirement rather than face voters again after casting several historic votes this year to keep U.S. forces stuck in the crosshairs of an endless, religious civil war.

In a press release last week Kevin Fahey, Vietnam War combat veteran and Field Director for the Minnesota Chapter of the ëIraq Summerí Campaign wrote:

"All summer long, Americans Against Escalation in Iraq (AAEA) ëIraq Summerí Campaign kept up a steady drumbeat of grassroots activity in Minnesotaís 3rd District including town halls with Iraq war veterans, failing Iraq report card deliveries, bird-dogging at public events, vigils, rapid response, and demonstrations outside Ramstadís Minnetonka office. They were all part of an ongoing effort to convince the Congressman to start representing the people of Minnesota by voting for a safe and responsible end to the war. Ramstad also endured unrelenting public pressure to change course from ëIraq Summerí allies including Military Families Speak Out, the 3rd District Peace Campaign, and Veterans for Peace.Ý

"While we respect Congressman Ramstadís many years of public service and his decision not to seek another term in office, that by no means gives him a free pass to keep voting to enable this Presidentís failed and costly ëstay the courseí policy of endless war," Fahey continued. "Before his term is up, Rep. Ramstad will have another chance to do the right thing and vote to bring our troops home ñ not to keep them policing a violent religious civil war that has no end in sight. With the war in Iraq well into its fifth year, with over $500 billion spent, and the deaths of more than 3,700 American troops, the people of Minnesota have had enough. And until the day Jim Ramstad is no longer a representative of the people of Minnesota or the day he finally votes to bring our troops home ñ we arenít letting up an inch." Ý

Despite the White Houseís PR blitz attempting to spin the "surge" into a success story, opposition to the Iraq war is stronger than ever. Nearly 80 percent of Americans believe the U.S. should withdraw troops from Iraq [New York Times, 9/10/07]. A record-high 60 percent of Americans want the United States to set a timetable to withdraw forces and "stick to that timetable regardless of what is going on in Iraq." [USA Today, 9/10/07].

"Last month, Rep. Ramstad was a no-show at ëTake A Standí Day in Minnetonka -- a standing room only town hall featuring Iraq War veterans and military families where the Congressman had a golden opportunity to face his constituents and explain his continued support for the Presidentís failed, endless war policy," Fahey added. "Nearly half a thousand Minnesotans participated in the August 28th TAS town halls in Minnetonka, St. Paul and St. Cloud. Those were just three of nearly 50 town hall forums that were held across the country, which drew over 11,000 people nationwide and turned up the heat on nearly 50 members of Congress who have opposed setting a timeline to bring a safe and responsible end to the war in Iraq. Empty chairs were set up for Sen. Norm Coleman, and Reps. Michele Bachmann and Ramstad at their respective town halls to spotlight the refusal to face questions from constituents concerning an all important issue that has the lives of thousands of young Americans in the balance."

Why do we call our Congressmen "Representatives" if they arenít representing the people who elected them? When 8 out of every 10 Americans feel we should get out of Iraq, shouldnít these people representing Americans listen to what Americans are saying?

We have "statesmen" and "politicians" serving in Washington. The difference- a statesman listens to his or her constituents and then does whatís best for his or her district and the country. A politician listens to his or her political party and dares not step out of line.

My hope is that Rep. Ramstad and other Republicans serving in Washington will listen to their constituents and not their political party leaders and stop the bloodshed.

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