I am so battle weary. As if the war in Iraq weren’t enough, the political battle ground here at home competes with the unrelenting summer heat causing hot under the collar temperaments far and wide. How ironic that in an effort to foster peace, end a war and save lives, our own nation is being torn to shreds. Tattered shreds that barely resemble a “united” anything, let alone a coordinated effort in the best interests of all to put differences aside, and actually reach a consensus that translates to meaningful legislation.

How do we move our elected representatives forward? Ego, face saving, and posturing must be taken out of the equation. Putting the interests of those whose shoulders have bared the weight of Iraq for 4 1/2 years ahead of politicking would be a good start, and must be demanded. And in a wider view, considering carefully the price we all will pay well into our grandchildren’s lives for this misbegotten, mismanaged, ideologically driven war. I wonder if there are any “deciders” in Washington who can actually decide any thing? As the debates persist, mothers and fathers continue to welcome their fallen heroes home from the bellies of airplanes, in flag covered pine boxes. What will it take to energize and unify our representative government in an effort to reclaim our national identity, and save untold numbers of lives in the process?

I’ve said this a million times, and I’ll repeat it a million more if I have to: “we do not honor the lives of those lost by sacrificing yet more of our sons and daughters”. The madness must end. If not now, when? When will we have killed every one we need to kill in order to declare victory? I am more than outraged as I listen to rhetoric from both sides. How long are we going to allow our soldiers to be used as political pawns by this administration and those who continue to evade accountability? You know, the ones who continually try to convince us that theirs is the judgment we must substitute for our own if we wish to be safe. May I say, with all due respect, that the mess we find ourselves in now is wholly due to their miscalculations or worse yet, a calculated power grab gone awry.

In any event, there isn’t a white collar job in DC that is worth the life of my soldier son, or any other mothers child. Period. I would like to remind those of you who are seeking to either win or keep a job in Washington that the decisions you make today will follow you far beyond your political tenure…as a human being, citizen, parent and grandparent. You will live forever with the consequences of your actions in Congress. The time to act is now. You need to know, all of you, that we are paying attention, and our voices (and votes) will get your attention sooner or later. I would choose sooner. Lives depend on it.

Carla J. Hitz