Cost of Iraq War continues to mount as it enters its 6th year
More than 5 years have clicked off the calendar since the Bush administration launched the invasion and occupation of Iraq. The war has now surpassed by more than a year the longevity of the U.S. involvement in World War II.
As the ticker above right illustrates, the promise of a cheap, quickly executed entry and departure from Iraq proved to be another failed illusion painted by Bush, McCain, Cheney and Rumsfeld.
Even more tragic is the mounting loss of lives. Over 4,000 of our nation's proud men and women who donned their uniforms as a symbol of their commitment to our country's ideals have been sacrificed on the battlefield.
Twenty-three of the dead heroes were from the Granite State, an incalculable loss for the families of the fallen men and women, and for the entire state of New Hampshire.
Bringing this war to a close is one of the greatest challenges that will face the incoming president when he's sworn into office on January 20, 2009.
With the war having already cost Laconians in excess of $27 million, and each citizen expected to chip in an additional $1720 each year the war is prolonged, it's clear that the war must be ended.
It doesn't take a genius to recognize that $27 million is an enormous burden. That's more than the amount being spent for the construction of, and for furnishing and equipping the city's new Middle School.
Nor does that amount take into account the long-term costs associated with the war, from veterans' care to repairing and replacing both the equipment and personnel needed to keep our military strong.
With our community confronting the same challenges being experienced throughout the country as the nation's economy falters and commodity prices skyrocket, a fundamental question being ignored by the Republican supporters of this war is how it's impacting local government and services.
For the amount of money already spent on the war in behalf of Laconia's residents, the following could have been provided:
It's been over five years since President Bush announced on May 1, 2003 from the deck of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln under a banner proclaiming "Mission Accomplished" that major hostilities in Iraq were over and that "the United States and our allies have prevailed. (Below is a video of his remarks on that memorable occasion.)
7,187 People with Health Care for one year, or
37,980 Homes with Renewable Electricity for one year, or
606 Public Safety Officers for one year, or
491 Music and Arts Teachers for one year, or
2,617 Scholarships for University Students for one year, or
142 Affordable Housing Units, or
7,837 Children with Health Care for one year, or
3,355 Head Start Places for Children for one year, or
471 Elementary School Teachers for one year, or
472 Port Container Inspectors for one year
The Human Toll - New Hampshire's Iraqi War Dead
Robert E. Rooney Sergeant First Class Army National Guard Age: 43 Nashua 25 Sep 2003
