About 4 out of 5 Iraqi citizens want the United States to leave their country.

The agreement between Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki confirms that the United States and Iraq will hash out an "enduring" relationship in military, economic and political terms...

Two senior Iraqi officials familiar with the issue say Iraq's government will embrace a long-term U.S. troop presence in return for U.S. security guarantees as part of a strategic partnership. The two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the subject is sensitive, said U.S. military and diplomatic representatives appeared generally favorable, subject to negotiations on the details, which include preferential treatment for American investments. (Ben Feller, AP)

Despite both American and Iraqi sentiment, on Monday, according to the White House, George Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signed a "declaration of principles" on enduring military, political and economic ties.

Those negotiations will address thorny issues such as what mission US forces in Iraq will pursue, whether they will establish permanent bases, and what kind of immunity, if any, should be granted to private security contractors such as Blackwater USA. It also will canvas investment preferences, according to two unnamed Iraqi officials. (Sidney Morning Herald)

U.S. oil companies, in particular, stand to benefit from Bush's deal-making with the war torn Iraq. American investors benefiting from preferential treatment could earn huge profits from Iraq's vast oil reserves, causing widespread resentment among Iraqis.

Sunni Arab and Shia politicians said it would lead to what they described as "US interference for years to come".

The Iraqi parliament will have to approve any final agreement before it can come into force, but, Bush's free wheeling pact will not have to be approved by the United States Congress, according to General Douglas Lute, Bush's so-called "war czar." Spencer Ackerman over at TPM further laments:

Oh, for the halcyon days when the Bush administration saw fit to deny that it sought a permanent U.S. military presence in Iraq. Let's take a look at what senior administration officials said way back when, shall we?

President George W. Bush, April 13, 2004: "As a proud and independent people, Iraqis do not support an indefinite occupation and neither does America."

The public unveiling of the proposed arrangement yesterday arrived at a time when the administration has been trying to showcase recent improvements in security in Iraq following the deployment of an additional 30,000 US troops at the beginning of the year, despite the fact that this year, 2007, has been THE deadliest year of the occupation of Iraq ever.

With our federal deficit at an all time high and our economy tanking in all prospects for our middle class, shouldn't we be spending this money at home - in ways that will prop up our culture, our own civilization and our own communities?

Shouldn't this lame duck president of our country be responding to our wishes, negotiating with our lawmakers and signing pacts with us - rather than making sweetheart deals for multinational oil companies?