How to Get the Government to Withdraw From Iraq

The presence of the U.S. military in Iraq is one of the most contentious issues in America today. People have incredibly strong opinions on this subject, no matter what side of the issue they are on. It is a subject that sparks intense and passionate debate whenever it is raised. If you want to get the government to withdraw from Iraq, there are several important steps you can take.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Work to Get the Government to Withdraw from Iraq

1. Write letters to your Congressional representatives. This is a democracy and your opinions count. Congressional leaders are concerned about getting re-elected and want to show their constituents they are listening. Your letters could prompt your representatives to re-think their votes concerning our presence in Iraq.
2. Organize your like-minded friends and relatives to write to Congress, too. The more people who express a similar opinion on Iraq, the more likely Congressional leaders are to listen. There is power in numbers!
3. Take part in protests and demonstrations supporting withdrawal from Iraq. The louder you make your voice, the harder it is for the government to ignore it. Public demonstrations--especially those with many participants--send a strong message.
4. Write letters to the editors of local and national papers expressing your opinion. You may influence others to see it your way. In turn, those people may be moved to let their Congressional representatives know how they feel about our presence in Iraq.
5. Offer to speak to local interest groups about our presence in Iraq. Plenty of organizations need guest speakers. Any group from the local garden club to a chapter of Amnesty International could be interested in hearing what you have to say.
6. Send a letter to the President of the United States voicing your support for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. It might also be a good idea to outline some ideas for how you think this could be achieved.

Tips & Warnings

• The President is commander-in-chief of the military. However, only Congress has the power to declare war. This has lead to showdowns between the President and Congress in the past and may do so in the future. Therefore, it is important to write letters to both the President and Congress when trying to get the government to withdraw from Iraq.
• When sending a letter to the President, be very careful about the language you use. Anything that could be considered remotely threatening, however vague your wording, could earn you an unwelcome visit from the Secret Service.
• Be cautious when participating in public demonstrations of any kind. Many communities have strict local ordinances regarding such gatherings. Be absolutely certain you and your group have complied with them all before heading out onto the streets or you could find yourself under arrest very quickly.