Priority Is Not America

With news out this morning that our economy shrank 2.6% in 2009, our decision to spend another $37 billion over the next 9 months on Iraq and Afghanistan is resoundingly stupid.  Consider the following.

The $37 billion:

• Is completely unfunded

• Would pay off all state deficits

• Is twice the cost of a Jobs Bill bogged down in the senate because of GOP obstruction

• Is more expensive than the unemployment extension the GOP filibustered twice because they claimed it added to the deficit

• Is three times the amount that will be spent on HCR next year; legislation Republicans opposed on claims of its price tag

It goes without mentioning, too, the roads, schools and high tech infrastructure that could be built or initiated (all of which would create much needed jobs) with the money Congress and the president want to spend over the next few months waging war and killing people.

Even though many Democrats opposed the spending bill (war bill), it still easily passed.  There really wasn't any concern that it wouldn't pass.  But a bill that would spend $37 billion here at home????  That would require months of debate, fending off calls of socialism and tyrannical takeovers, being mocked as a sissy liberal, told that you aren't a Serious person because you support an item that is unfunded and adds to the deficit.  And most of all, a constant defense against the bill not containing tax cuts.

Spreading our wealth to Iraq and Afghanistan is easier and more Patriotic than keeping it here and making our country a better place.  This is our current discourse, priority and direction in America.  Nothing has changed since 2001.