What are your thoughts and comments on the following column:
Shortcut to:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02
DAD
Pops,
I do challenge some of Brook's assumptions. He posits that the centrists Democrats and Independents will conclude that we need to stay in Iraq another 5 years. Do you think the majority of Americans want this? Of course the Bush backers and the Army generals in Iraq will go crazy over the idea of withdrawing. But my opinion is that faced with either staying in Iraq indefinitely, or getting out, most Americans will choose withdrawal. They in fact already do (only 1 in 5 Americans want to see large numbers of troops in Iraq 2 years from now):
http://www.gather.com/viewArtic
So it seems weird to me that David Brooks is saying that the country will be torn apart again if we withdraw.
Second, he says that the Dems are promising too much - both a balanced budget and more social programs. I'm not an expert on the matter, but it seems obvious to me what Brooks is missing. The military and Iraq budget have been what's put us in debt over the past 8 years. Reduce those very huge costs, and it seems like you'll have alot of money left over for alot of things. Not a very technical analysis I'll admit, but it makes sense to me - how bout you?
Good thoughts on your behalf. I worry that if we pull out and Iraq implodes that Iran (our biggest threat, will fill the void and then we have a much worse problem). How do we prematurely pull out and not risk this? I do believe the war was a mistake, however now that we are in their would hate to see an Obama throw in the towel type of pull out.
Yes the war has taken a huge chuck of the budget which could pay for some of these social programs, however the deficit is there now and more expanding social programs will only add to it. That is the problem I have with the Democratic candidates………a social program for everything. This country will implode if this becomes reality.
Pops,
Official cost, Iraq War in 2009: $170 billion ( true number is probably much more)
Yearly Cost of Obama's Health Care Plan: $102 billion
That leaves 70 billion extra dollars if we leave Iraq and provide universal health care. Even if the Dems have a social program for everything, nothing could amount to this. To my knowledge though, health care is the only major social program spoke about. Can you clarify any?
Now if you would rather spend your tax $ on the Iraq war than health care, that's a different argument. But I bet you spend alot of $ every month on health insurance, and if it gets reduced alot through Obama's plan, you may not mind paying your taxes as much...
Well , what are you thoughts on Obama’s plan to pull out of Iraq?
I'm not one of those that believes withdrawal is absolutely the best answer. The more I think about it, the worse every option is.
McCain has no plan for victory...he just offers more of the same. And the penalties for staying the course are high. Our allies are deserting us in Afghanistan, because of the continuing unpopularity of Iraq. The damage to our national prestige and foreign policy continues. There hasn't been any political progress in Iraq, and without political progress the military gains are very temporary. Meanwhile US treasure and lives keeps getting wasted, what does McCain say, for the next 100 years?
Withdrawing has so many risks. Iraq could descend into civil war. But again I hark back to the bi-partisan Iraq committee last year. They recommended a phased withdrawal, working in conjunction with Iraq's neighbors, including Iran, to stabilize it. It would be admitting Iraq to be more of a failure like Vietnam. But we survived Vietnam, regrouped, and regained our standing in the world. Why can't we again?
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