The troops who have died have died doing their job, which is to kill those who are hostile to us and to prevent them from taking over the government of Iraq. Democracy is too strong a term for what we are, in a poistivly, trying to do. It is to set up a popular government with whom we can deal on the same terms as Pakistan. My guess is thast we have been undercut by our allies, such as Saudi Arabia, which would still like Iraq to be controlled by a Sunni Arab government, and is playing a double game. Helping us and helping the insurgents, not letting their left hand know what their right hand is doing.
But, aren't they Muslims? Whats the point of wasting our time helping them? at least thats the question i raise if you believe in the broad brush.