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Congressman Higgins Issues Statement on President Obama’s Afghanistan Decision |
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Statement By Congressman Brian Higgins |
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“Today the President announced his intention to send additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan. This is a decision I believe the President takes seriously and, with billions of dollars and thousands of lives at stake, one that must be weighed carefully.
“Initially, I am skeptical about increasing our presence in Afghanistan. Hundreds of American lives have already been lost in this conflict, and thousands more wounded. If we are to ask our soldiers to make the ultimate sacrifice, we have a moral obligation to clearly define what constitutes success and to devise a strategy to succeed. Yet it may be unrealistic to expect a liberal democracy to blossom in a place that has known only tribalism for a thousand years. The government currently in place is viewed as corrupt and ineffective, a problem that has little prospect of improving anytime soon.
“Over $171 billion of American taxpayer dollars has been spent on this conflict, including tens of million on infrastructure in Afghanistan. Meanwhile in America our economy is fragile and our infrastructure – our roads, transit, hospitals, and schools – desperately need resources and our citizens need jobs. Rather than pour billions more into this conflict, I’d prefer we rededicate these funds toward some nation-building here at home.
“I have traveled to the region and will return to Afghanistan at the end of this month. While on the ground with our U.S. military men and women in the days after Christmas I plan to meet with commanders and our rank and file to hear first hand the needs and the challenges in Afghanistan from those who know the situation best and who sacrifice the most. Each time I have encountered our military in action I am humbled and inspired by the work they do to defend Americans and our allies.
“This is a decision that the President has made deliberatively and I appreciate that. But I still question whether we can afford, in lives and treasure, to continue this conflict given the dim prospect for democracy in Afghanistan.
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