Cheryle Jackson opposes more troops for Afghanistan

U. S. should bring Iraq, Afghanistan troops and money home

CHICAGO – U. S. Senate candidate Cheryle Jackson said today that she opposes sending more troops to Afghanistan and that the U. S. should move to withdraw American military forces still in Iraq.

“It is time to take care of America again and time to bring our troops home. Until we stop spending hundreds of billions on wars, we will not have the focus or money to solve the challenges we face at home," Jackson said. “Some Illinois soldiers are facing their third or fourth deployment to Afghanistan and Iraq. I am so grateful and humbled by the heroism of our brave men and women and their families who have sacrificed so much.”

Illinois taxpayers spent $49 billion on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001, according to the National Priority Project.

“With Illinois’ share of Afghanistan and Iraq war costs we could provide more than 20 million people with health care, fund five million college scholarships, 760 thousand elementary teachers for a year or a million new public safety officers. The City of Chicago, the State of Illinois, and cities and towns across the state are in financial crisis and are being forced to cut essential services and lay off workers,” said Jackson.

“Even the smallest increased deployment now being considered would cost another $20 billion.”

Jackson said that the U. S. should set an aggressive timetable for complete withdrawal from Afghanistan to force the government there to end corruption and establish military and police security in the country.

“I am concerned that our mission in Afghanistan is unsustainable in light of corruption and instability in the Karzai government and the Taliban’s control of much of the country,” said Jackson.

The U. S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, retired General and former top military commander in Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry said recently that we should not send more troops unless President Karzai commits to ending corruption and mismanagement.

Jackson pledges that as U.S. Senator she will fight to invest that money in America to create jobs, make quality schools a real priority, and provide universal health care.