Take a breath.
In the space of that single second, more than $3,000 was spent on the Iraq War. That computes to $275 million a day or $8.5 billion a month. The war that was to have cost us a total of $50 billion has cost us $500 billion ... as of today.
Regardless of one's stance on the Iraq War, the question of whether this is a cost we can afford (with no end in sight) must be asked. It is a question that our presidential candidates must answer plainly.
It has been said that withdrawal - even a carefully planned, phased one - would "bring utter chaos." But utter chaos could occur regardless of when this withdrawal occurs - in 5 years, 10 years or 100 years. We cannot force a people not to engage in civil war if that is their intent.
What I believe many Americans would like to see - and would be willing to sacrifice for - is a total commitment to a smart energy policy that will release us from the grip of foreign oil/OPEC and position us as leaders in renewable energy in a world facing unprecedented climate change and looming, severe water shortages. Looking forward, thinking and acting positively, is what Americans have done best. Such a move would restore a sense of hope and optimism in ourselves, as well as reestablishing our moral leadership in the world.
Or we could just spend our money in Iraq.
You have now read this article ... and spent more than $50,000.
In the space of that single second, more than $3,000 was spent on the Iraq War. That computes to $275 million a day or $8.5 billion a month. The war that was to have cost us a total of $50 billion has cost us $500 billion ... as of today.
Regardless of one's stance on the Iraq War, the question of whether this is a cost we can afford (with no end in sight) must be asked. It is a question that our presidential candidates must answer plainly.
It has been said that withdrawal - even a carefully planned, phased one - would "bring utter chaos." But utter chaos could occur regardless of when this withdrawal occurs - in 5 years, 10 years or 100 years. We cannot force a people not to engage in civil war if that is their intent.
What I believe many Americans would like to see - and would be willing to sacrifice for - is a total commitment to a smart energy policy that will release us from the grip of foreign oil/OPEC and position us as leaders in renewable energy in a world facing unprecedented climate change and looming, severe water shortages. Looking forward, thinking and acting positively, is what Americans have done best. Such a move would restore a sense of hope and optimism in ourselves, as well as reestablishing our moral leadership in the world.
Or we could just spend our money in Iraq.
You have now read this article ... and spent more than $50,000.
