So we're on the verge of economic destruction, but...

[Divine Discontent]

we can afford two large wars that costs thousands a second, while there is no heavy reason (like bombs being dropped on any of our territory) for such massive government spending to the tune of billions a month.

How can we ever regain our footing and our standing in the world when we're involved in this boondoggle that benefits thousands of contractors who overcharge for their services to the government?

Just very frustrating. I'm not liking that President Obama is for the transfer of tens of thousands of troops from Iraq to Afghanistan - haven't enough of our soldiers died and haven't we built up our debt to such extreme levels that it will be a decade or more before it's wiped away IF proper restraint is shown by Congress?

I'm also upset that so many people I know have zero respect for going to war as a last resort. Perhaps I need talked down, but, I cannot help but think this tightrope act of being bipartisan really doesn't accomplish the full hopes of progressives about ending war that is essentially pointless. (and if Osama is still a point of needed capture, can't small ops units pursue him from one heavily guarded base in Afghanistan or Pakistan?)

[tama]

1. The irony of collapsing empires

Will to Power overriding basic survival instincts. You know, the day when bread is finito and the only circus in town is the army of benito...

[Divine Discontent]

2. aint it the truth. war is power! bah! makes us look in some ways, like a part of the axis. sigh eom

[slay]

3. Agreed - end all wars now

we can not be the world police - hell we can't even get this country half-way fixed right now!

[KharmaTrain]

4. The Sticky Wicket

It's been long said that it's easy to get into a war, always impossible to get out of one. I wish these milirary misadventures had never happened and want those responsible to be held accountable. I've stated endlessly how only a true international war crimes trial would ever begin to serve the justice due to those who launched that war for profit and abetted it.

That said...while I'd love every troop home and wish that 10 billion could be automatically returned to our economy every month...reality says it isn't as easy. I want the troops home, but I want them home safe. You just can't give 150,000 plane tickets to troops and say c'mon home. And then what? Keep them on bases? Release them into this economy? Allow the military to disolve altogether?

President Obama has said he will be withdrawing troops from Iraq and I'm sure as hell holding him to it. I have big reservations about escalating in Afghanistan, but another issue at this point. The plan has been for a full withdrawl in 18 months...and it will be expensive. Again...moving all those troops and equipment will be costly and then where do they go? I don't have the answers, but thinking they can be withdrawn overnight is all but impractical. Want to be pissed...let's go after the war criminals that got us into this mess.

[bvar22]

7. Protecting our military equipment....

...is not a good argument for extending the Occupations.
The really expensive stuff (Aircraft and personnel) can be moved out of the combat theater very quickly.

The rest of the stuff....Leave it, Blow it up, or Give it away.
Most of it is not worth the cost of transporting it home (used up, worn out, obsolete).
None of it is worth the life of another soldier.
The first $10 Billion dollar Peace Dividend could replace most of it.

As far as the "political situation", neither puppet government (Iraq, Afghanistan) is going to last very long after our withdrawal. This will not change if we stay another 10 years.

[GeorgeGist]

5. Capitalism has it's price.

Buy more profits; otherwise America can't afford to maintain the rich.

[Gregorian]

6. Our economy is so heavily dependent upon military production.

I don't think people realize just how far the peripherals of military production go. The economy of fear is so big we don't dare stop.

However, Obama can substitute military jobs for new energy jobs. Global warming is rearing it's head. We're being forced to change.