Republicans Won’t Rest Until We’re at War with Iran

Upon hearing the news that a temporary deal had been reached concerning Iran’s nuclear programs, I knew without even seeing a single comment that Republicans were going to be against this six month trial run of diplomacy.

Because that’s all this is.  It’s a six month deal to see if all parties involved will keep their word.  At that point, another deal can be reached that takes bigger steps towards peace with Iran and preventing the Iranian government from building nuclear weapons.

But I knew the moment I heard the news that Republicans would throw some kind of hissy fit following this announcement.  After all, when have Republicans really ever endorsed diplomacy?

The truth of the matter is pretty simple though — Republicans won’t be happy until we’re at war with Iran.

To Republicans, almost all attempts at diplomacy are signs of weakness.  “We’re the United States, we don’t compromise!”  Then again, that’s the entire GOP philosophy these days anyway.  To conservatives, the idea of compromising is just as vile as the idea of becoming a “filthy America-hating liberal.”

If Republicans had their way, we’d sit there with Iran, tell them they’re going to do whatever we say and if they don’t like it — well, too bad.

Now this might sound like I’m defending Iran, and I’m absolutely not.  Their government for too long has been corrupt, shady, deplorable and sensationalistic.  I absolutely don’t trust them, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give them a chance.

It wasn’t like this deal was only struck between the United States, China, Russia and Iran.  We had other allies involved such as Germany, France and Britain.  Of course Israel hates the deal, but as time goes on, I’m simply getting tired of the rhetoric coming from that country.  While I get why we support them, too often lately they remind me of that tiny friend who always likes to cause a lot of problems, yet can’t handle them on their own.  Always asking their more powerful friends to come help them out.

But I’m absolutely convinced Republicans won’t rest until we’re at war with Iran.  Hell, I believe had the Iraq War gone the way Bush thought it would (you know, a few months and over — “Mission Accomplished!”), Iran would have been their next target.

Republicans have built this platform that any nation which might be breeding grounds for terror must be dealt with.  Basically, if they feel a nation supports terrorism, we should go to war with that nation.

In other words, the United States would be perpetually at war.  Then again, war is great for big defense companies — which are huge supporters of the GOP.

So of course they oppose any mention of diplomacy with Iran, because that’s not what they want.  The Republican party has nearly always been the party for massive defense spending.  And what better way to facilitate more money for defense spending than by starting more wars?

Oh, and let’s not forget about big oil.  They would love greater access in countries like Iran.

I’m sure it’s just a pure coincidence that the Republican party is supported by huge sums of money flowing in from big oil and big defense — and the last two Republican presidents started wars in the Middle East. However, when it’s all said and done, this nuclear deal is nothing more than an attempt at diplomacy between nations that for many years have scoffed at any mention of such an idea.

Will it work?  Who knows.  I hope it does.  But if it doesn’t, we’ll take the appropriate steps at that moment.

At least if we end up having to take harsher actions towards Iran in the future (deeper sanctions, military action) history will have shown that we attempted diplomacy — and it simply failed.

Republicans, on the other hand, would rather shoot first and ask questions later.  Which is the exact kind of short-sighted ignorance that got us into the war in Iraq, resulting in the deaths of over 4,000 brave American men and women serving in our armed forces.