Home Beckons

Image by Thomas Hawk

Our flailing economy cries out for action, getting top billing by TV pundits, in campaign speeches, and in letters to the editor across the country. Plunging stock prices, bailout blues, lost jobs, and fading financial futures capture our attention like no other election-time topics. With just a few days left before Election Day, I feel compelled to speak out on one other important issue, which seems to be buried under our collective concentration on the economy. The Iraq War.

Iraq presents one of the clearest distinctions between the candidates in this election. Obama supports a plan to drawdown troops in Iraq, recognizing the need to do so without jeopardizing their safety. McCain takes an even stricter stance than Bush – remain in Iraq, no matter how long it takes to “win.”

For those whose first priority is the economy:
Our total cost so far in Iraq: ~$566,750,000,000
Cost per year: ~$140,000,000,000
Cost per month: ~$12,000,000,000
U.S. funds lost and unaccounted for in Iraq: $9,600,000,000

To put these costs in perspective, the 2008 Federal budget provides just $59B for the Department of Education and only $25B for the Department of Energy, which is in charge of, among other things, energy-related research and domestic energy production. To bring it down to a very personal level, this war has cost every family of four in the U.S. $16,500 so far. And the war goes on…

For those who never believed in starting this war:
Yes, Hussein was a despicable man, but our justification for invasion was faulty. The Bush administration exaggerated the threat he posed. Remember, there were no weapons of mass destruction found, and then no evidence found that Hussein was harboring or supporting Al-Qaeda. McCain followed the Bush lead into Iraq and continues to support this war, while downplaying Afghanistan where Al-Qaeda did and does thrive. If his judgment is flawed in Iraq, can we depend on him to lead us through difficult and potentially volatile relationships with Syria, Iran, and North Korea?

For those of us with loved ones in the military:
Amazingly, Bush has not asked all citizens to share the same burden of Iraq, providing tax cuts to the very richest among us during a time or war. McCain plans to continue these cuts for the same individuals and corporations who evade billions in taxes each year through loopholes and offshore tax havens. Instead, Bush and McCain place the largest burdens and sacrifices for this war on those who serve and on those who wait at home for them.

Our sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, cousins, and friends are serving bravely and honorably in our armed services, just as those a generation ago did in Vietnam. Leaving Iraq will never tarnish the honor of those who have been lost or who are wounded, for they did what their country asked them to do. Leaving Iraq will honor those we’ve lost by not losing others to a situation where winning cannot be defined. Having the courage to change course by taking us out of Iraq shows great strength and honors the troops currently serving in Iraq and those prepared to go when called.

Remember and honor:
4,188 U.S. military dead
30,757 U.S. military wounded, many with lifelong devastating injuries
30% to 40% returning U.S. military with psychological problems

The men and women in our military join their units with the knowledge that they may be called to duty to serve and defend our country. We must ensure that they are only called to the most crucial battlegrounds at home and abroad. We must expect our government to be capable of recognizing a need for a changed policy. And, we must demand that it has the courage to act accordingly.

McCain would keep us in Iraq indefinitely. Obama will lead us to a responsible end to this war. He will call on Iraq’s leaders to take on the responsibility for running and funding their own future. He will return us to a position of respect in the world where our efforts toward peaceable solutions are at least as great as our willingness to exercise our military might. Please keep Iraq in mind on Election Day.