After the WMD rationale fell apart, George Bush declared that the real reason for invading Iraq was to "spread freedom" and democratize the region. While the Bush administration is big on rhetoric they consistently fall short on action. Today we learn in the Washington Post that the Bush administration is "scaling back funding for the main organizations trying to carry out his vision by building democratic institutions such as political parties and civil society groups."

By cutting funding to these organizations the administration reneges on its obligation to building democratic institutions at a crucial moment in Iraq's history. As Senator Kennedy said yesterday, ""The solution to Iraq lies in the political process, and it's reckless for the White House to cut funds to strengthen democracy in Iraq at this time."

The Bush administration's short-sightedness in this instance is emblematic of the entire Iraq misadventure. Bush is fond of saying of late that history will justify his decision to invade the country. That's a very convenient excuse that does nothing to solve anyone's problems but his own. It's time to end the American occupation and move toward a peaceful resolution in Iraq, and cutting funding to the groups whose mission it is to do just that is yet another step on the road to failure for the administration, and for those in Congress who support this war.