[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12736]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      FAILED POLICY IN AFGHANISTAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Jones) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, again, I try to get to the floor once a week 
to talk about our failed policy in Afghanistan.
  Last Thursday, an article in Politico reminded us of the difficulty 
of trying to change a culture like Afghanistan. It is nearly 
impossible. For centuries, outside influences have been trying, but we 
are never going to be able to change the belief systems and culture of 
the Middle East.
  The Politico article stated that parts of Afghanistan were stuck in 
the 14th century. We are supporting a corrupt country and a culture 
where it is commonplace for grown men to have sexual relations with 
young boys. The American taxpayer should be outraged to know that their 
tax dollars are going to support this kind of practice.
  Yesterday, The Washington Post published an article, titled, ``U.S. 
Construction Projects in Afghanistan Challenged by Inspector General's 
Report.'' While discussing the fact that projects implemented in 
Afghanistan by Americans will not be possible for the Afghans to 
sustain once the United States leaves, the question for policymakers in 
Washington is whether the massive influx of American spending in 
Afghanistan is actually making the problem worse.
  One such project to provide electricity requires purchasing diesel 
fuel to run the generators enough to power about 2,500 Afghan homes or 
small businesses and is projected to cost the United States' taxpayers 
about $220 million through 2013.
  Mr. Speaker, it is just billions and billions and billions going to 
Afghanistan and very little accountability, and yet we are cutting 
programs for the American people. To me, it makes no sense at all.
  Mr. Speaker, again I brought a poster down. This is a new one that I 
purchased myself. There is a little girl holding her mother's arm. The 
mother is being escorted by an Army officer, and the little girl is 
looking at the caisson that is carrying her father. Her father is under 
an American flag. The father was killed in Afghanistan for America.
  I would say to this family: You should be very proud of your father.
  I would say to Congress: Why can't you understand that you've got a 
failed policy in Afghanistan, and these young men and women are dying?
  These young men and women are losing their legs and arms, and yet we 
keep sending $10 billion a month to a corrupt leader where they have 
the practice of adult men making love with boys over there in 
Afghanistan. I just don't understand the Congress, to be honest with 
you.
  Mr. Speaker, as you and many know, I have Camp Lejeune Marine Base in 
my district. In the last 10 days, three marines have been killed in 
Afghanistan. I salute their families and thank them for the gift of 
that loved one.
  How many more young men and women have to die in Afghanistan? How 
many more taxpayer dollars have to go to prop up a corrupt leader? 
Afghanistan will not survive under Karzai. The Taliban will eventually 
take over.
  Mr. Speaker, before closing, as I always do, first I would like to 
ask the American people to contact their Member of Congress and say 
bring our troops home now, at least no later than 2014, and stop 
spending our taxpayers' money when you can't even account for what it 
is being spent for in Afghanistan, and start spending it right here in 
America to rebuild our roads, schools, and infrastructure.
  So on behalf of this little girl and her mom, and all of the families 
who've given loved ones dying for freedom in Afghanistan, I will close 
this way:
  God, please bless our men and women in uniform. God, please bless the 
families of our men and women in uniform. God, in your loving arms, 
hold the families who have given a child dying for freedom in 
Afghanistan and Iraq. God, please bless the House and Senate that we 
will do what is right in God's eyes for the people of today and the 
people of tomorrow. And I ask God to please bless the President of the 
United States, to give him wisdom, courage, and strength to do what's 
right for God's people here. And three times I will say, God, please, 
God, please, God, please continue to bless America.

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