Iraq is George Bush’s 10,000-pound Monica Lewinsky, with thousands dead, injured and our worldwide reputation shattered. The only war we should be fighting is with al-Qaida, which needs to be won militarily and in the hearts and minds of Muslims everywhere.

We need a Marshall Plan for the Middle East, coupled with a military response in the right direction, which is not Iraq.

Declaring that freedom will fix everything and that democracy ensures freedom ignores the fact that democracy means little to people who don’t share in the economic prosperity and educational opportunity that should accompany it.

One need look no further than inside America to see what happens when people disengage from democracy. Under this Republican administration, our country resembles a theocratic oligarchy rather than a government for, of and by the people.

This November, and in 2008, the Republican cheval de bataille will be “No Democrat can protect our country.” Their policy of polarize, spin, divide and govern by fear will be hurricane Katrina-esque.

Our nation’s safety has little to do with this administration and much to do with the people whose business is intelligence.

President Bush ignored the memo, “Bin Laden determined to strike inside U.S.,” ignored intelligence and advice on Iraq, and ignored the revival of citizenship seen after 9/11. His party ignores the plight of common Americans and survives on votes of the misinformed and those who benefit financially or religiously through their policies.

It’s time to give Democrats a chance.

Michael Johnson, Windham