Is there ever really a winner?

When World War 2 broke out, the entire nation was behind our getting involved. A mad man was trying to spread his insanity throughout the world and he had to be stopped.

I was one of those who went overseas, who witnessed the horrors of war and his madness and thank God we were victorious.

Whether or not there were Weapons of mass destruction, whether we were lied to or not, we are in it and entering our fourth year. It is too late for blame, we have a President and he must be backed, but only up to a point. At this time I see no end to the conflict. We have lost over 3700 of our young people and the count continues daily. I have no idea how many have been wounded, many permanently. Over 655,000 Iraqi's have been killed, many woman and children. In addition, billions have been spent and many billions more will be.

Sometimes I feel that war is a madhouse and everyone in the war is a patient.

We did not win the war in Vietnam, but we also did not learn from that fiasco. Can wars be prevented? This candidate believes they can if cool heads prevail and negotiations are conducted. I read recently where Colin Powell opposed our going into Iraq, no doubt the reason he left government. Now we have politicians and Generals using dirty words, like, "a draft might be necessary". In my opinion, that would be the straw that breaks the back of even those who continue to support the war.

My first order of business if and when elected will be to endeavor to sit down and negotiate. Doing so with factions like Al Quida and the present Iranian leaders might be most distasteful to most of us, might even be impossible. But, it is worth a shot. Forgetting the cost in dollars, just thinking about the cost in lives gives reason enough to think about alternatives.

I realize there are many who disagree- that you cannot negotiate with people like these. But think about how many innocent Iranian people do not want war either, they are pawns at the hands of dangerous leaders. They are for the most part, good people being led like sheep much like the Germans in World War 2.

What do I propose? Elect me and watch. The art of negotiating can sometimes do miracles And if there is anything the world needs now- it is a miracle!

So, castigate me, don't vote for me, disagree with what I am saying but for Gods sake, think about the ongoing alternative.

aL Hoffman
The Deficit Reduction Party
Candidate for the Presidency.