During the late news last night they reported that the US is spending about two billion dollars a month on the war against terror. I sat there for a moment and then I thought about it… $2,000,000,000.00 a month; what could be done with that? Could we cure all cancer? Could we end hunger, poverty or illiteracy with this kind of money?
According to the National Priorities Project we have spent $467 billion to date. Staggering. This war, which began on March 30, 2003 and continues today, is quickly becoming the costliest war in American history. In contrast World War II cost the United States $288 billion in 1945 dollars. That is over three trillion dollars, it would look like this; $3,189,752,033,348.
OK, so we haven’t yet spent anywhere near what we did on WWII, right? For just a moment remember that WWII was a multi-theater war with almost every nation caught in the conflict, fought in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, all across Europe, Asia and northern Africa too. (Did I leave anything out?) The war on terror, waged primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan so far, has been waged for the most part by Americans.
Yes, I know; we have allies there with us. Sorta. The smart ones bailed as soon as they could. The WMD debacle squandered trust and friendship all across the world when it comes to international relations. The ones that are left are there at their own political peril. What began as a true coalition has since become the US and her closest allies; mainly other British colonies as it were.
I know I don’t normally write about my political views, but why is it OK for this war to continue? Why are American’s not in the streets nightly demanding the cessation of all hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan where US men and women are concerned? Is it the old argument that we are there to protect our loved ones back in America? Are they fighting to bring democracy to the region? Is someone waiting in the wings to spring terrorism on us again if we pull out?
Let me state here and now that I am not a pacifist. True, I am no war-hawk, my hands don’t ache for the feel of the M-16, but I still hear the hymn of the United States Marine Corps when I brush my teeth. (Inside joke for other Marines.) I believe there is such a thing as a righteous war, a war that simply must be fought. Sometimes the only course of action that a nation can take is the use of force. But this war is beyond that pale.
Hey, let’s try this: suspend the war for a few months. Take eight or ten billion dollars and set up a hospital somewhere or build a college in Guatemala or something like that. Let’s take that money and feed the homeless in California or build new homes for the twenty-two thousand Americans still living in FEMA housing after Hurricane Katrina.
If that is a complete waste of time, whatever, start shooting again. Something tells me that it won’t be a waste of time or money.
We need to remember that we are all one race of man. We are all worthy of loving-kindness, respect and compassion. How can any of us truly be happy while there are others suffering?
WOOT WOOT! I totally agree, there is a MAJOR need for change in our GOVERNMENT. Its beyond ridiculous at this point, I think our elected political officials need to read your blog you wrote for your kids.
This is the result of a nation living in a constant state of fear. Terror is nothing more than an intense fear. Terrorism could be destroyed without firing a weapon or spending a dollar. Stop living in fear and terrorism dies.
terror: 1. a state of intense fear – http://www.m-w.com
The enemy is fear. We think it is hate; but, it is fear.
— Gandhi.
Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.
— Japanese Proverb.
Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.
— Plato
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
— 1 John 4:18
America is in the unenviable position of “damned if we do, damned if we don’t.” We have our own problems, yet the world still screams for us to help. When we help, it’s never good enough. When we don’t, we’re made out to be cowards, liars, hippocrites or worse.
When this war started, I had a friend tell me that “fighting for peace, is like f*cking for virginity.” I agree that there are times to fight, and fight with truth and conviction, but was this war one of them?
So many countries are pulling out of the “war on terror” (if they haven’t already) because they have realized that the war was begun under false pretences and is not benefiting anyone.
Our country is currently there fighting, just to fight. There is really only one presidential candidate who has voted against the war and the funding of the war and that is Dennis Kucinich. From what I have seen, the other Democratic nominees have said that we won’t be able to pull out until 2013.
I feel that approving the funding for the war is approving of the war itself, regardless of what the other candidates say, since we have enough funding to get the troops out.
That is my point of view, anyway.
I agree.. we were brought in under false pretenses.. we are held hostage for a host of reasons under this current administration. And the money.. oh what good could have been done for our own misdeeds and injustices here in our homeland…. we should be fighting our own “war on terrors” here on at home… wars on poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, illiteracy, abused children,elders and spouses, teen pregnancy, sexual predators, the list is endless as will the bill on the this war will to be….
Above all Matthew, you are right.. we are one race..we all have been placed in a terrible position, forced to defend the decisions of others, right or wrong… at the cost of tremendous spiritual, emotional and physical well being of the soldiers and their families.. as well as those casualties of war left in the wake.
The terrorist appears evil unless he is your brother, and you are beside him at his sister’s deathbed and cringe with him as his mother is humiliated and begs for mercy. And the solider is a hero, except when he is not, when you are beside him as he takes advantage of those with less power as a way to let off the pressure of long hours of tension and danger. And all of it is life and each does what he or she can.
The cost is too high to pay….
Thanks for sharing your blog Matthew.