STAR*PAC Endorses Ed Fallon for Congress

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

STAR*PAC is endorsing Ed Fallon to represent Iowa’s Third Congressional District.

Since 1980, STAR*PAC (Stop the Arms Race Political Action Committee of Iowa) has worked to oppose war, advocated against the weapons race and exorbitant military spending, and tackled many foreign and military policy issues. It works to elect candidates with the strongest commitment and strongest records for waging peace.

STAR*PAC remains gravely concerned about the war in Iraq. Five years after the Bush-Cheney Administration promised a swift and easy victory, 150,000 U.S. troops are still in Iraq, and Iraqi politicians have made little progress on developing the government structure the Administration assured us would take only a matter of months to create. Since the war began, almost 4,000 American troops have been killed and countless others have been maimed and psychologically injured. The cost to the American economy has reached $1.3 trillion ($16,500 per family of four) and will likely rise to $3 trillion ($35,000 per family of four). This huge debt is a significant contributor to our nation’s growing economic problems. Iraqi civilian casualties are in the hundreds of thousands, four million Iraqi people have been forced from their homes, and the Iraqi economy is stagnant with oil production and electricity at prewar levels.

STAR*PAC remains convinced that the war was a mistake from the beginning, that the American people were lied-to about the reasons for going to war, and that it is past time to return our troops from Iraq in a responsible and timely manner.

STAR*PAC salutes Rep. Boswell for his service to our country, and acknowledges that his recent voting record is more favorable to positions we advocate than his record over the years. However, we remain concerned that Rep. Boswell has too often supported the Administration’s war policy by voting to authorize the war, and voting to continue funding without timelines for troop withdrawal. In contrast, we believe Ed Fallon has opposed the war from the beginning, is strongly committed to ending the war, and is opposed to permanent military bases in Iraq.

STAR*PAC has numerous other significant concerns about Rep. Boswell’s record over the years on foreign and military policy issues. However, today, our emphasis is on our belief that Ed Fallon will be an effective Member of Congress on war and peace issues.

Some of Ed Fallon’s positions, qualifications and commitments we commend are:

Ed is committed to ending the war in Iraq and opposes any permanent military bases in Iraq, as noted above.

Ed supports constructive dialogue and diplomatic engagement with Iran. He understands that the Bush policy of no-dialogue plus saber-rattling only worsens relations and strengthens terrorists.

Ed supports redirecting major sums of excessive military spending to essential human needs and critical human services.

Ed opposes warrantless surveillance of Americans and giving immunity to telecommunication companies. He understands that the Patriot Act has been too sweeping in granting police powers to the government and, as a result, infringes on the civil rights and liberties of citizens.

Ed takes progressive positions on other issues that fundamentally relate to war and peace. For example, he is a strong leader on global climate change and its impact on reducing national security, and he is a strong supporter of campaign finance reform, which we believe is necessary in order to reduce the excessive influence of military-industrial special interests.

STAR*PAC believes it is time for real change in the direction of our country. The times cry out for strong, progressive leaders who will bring common sense as well as fresh vision to the U.S. role in a perilous world. We need leaders who will represent a new direction for America in how we relate to the world, who will champion a more engaging and diplomatic approach, and who will advocate less reliance on military solutions.

STAR*PAC believes that Ed Fallon understands the challenges we face in the 21^st century and is the best-equipped candidate to represent the Third District in the difficult times ahead.