The Cost of War

The American Friends Service Committee has done some research on the cost of the Iraq War and has come up with some interesting and enlightening statistics. Besides the cost in human life (both American and Iraqi) we, as American taxpayers, have to take a closer look at what is being spent on this needless and useless war and make a decision as to where our tax money should go. To wit:

$720,000,000 = One Day Cost of War
$720,000,000 = 34,904 Four Year University Scholarships
$720,000,000 = 423,559 Children with Health Care
$720,000,000 = 95,364 Head Start Places for Children
$720,000,000 = 84 New Elementary Schools
$720,000,000 = 12,478 Elementary School Teachers
$720,000,000 = 6,482 Families with Homes

The Bush Administration favors tax breaks for the rich in this country while the middle class bears the brunt of the costs of the war. Bush is always wanting to increase the funding for the war while vetoing measures aimed at providing health insurance for children and subsidies for farmers. What we need in this country is leadership which will truly lead and listen to vox populi. I am hoping for a renewal of Kennedy liberalism with a vision for a country which can pursue lofty goals and fulfill the promises of the Founding Fathers. JFK established the Peace Corps; envisioned legislation which led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and led us to the moon. We truly need new leadership which will get us out of the quagmire in Iraq and have the vision to lead us into a new day which will result in a better world for all. I look forward to the day when we will no longer have to celebrate Memorial Day because there is no war.