- The United States’ occupation of Iraq is completely unnecessary because it is extremely costly. First of all, the reasons for which the U.S. began this war are publicly unknown. The idea of terrorism and September 11th struck fear in the hearts of everyone, and ultimately, the government manipulated that fear. There were no weapons of mass destruction, no mobile chemical warfare labs, and no connections between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda. The government claimed terrorism, and the public did not even question. Lives have been lost as a result of this war, and no progress has been made. The United States is falling into recession, and the war is using a large portion of U.S. tax dollars. The national debt is increasing steadily. Prices of everyday items continue to rise. This silly war is causing the U.S. to fall further and further into debt.
- Not only is the national debt an outstanding figure, but it has also been growing every day. Inflation is increasing, and the economy is suffering. This is the primary reason the U.S. should pull out of Iraq. The length of our occupation in Iraq and the national debt are related. The economy has begun a downward spiral, and Congress continues to cut taxes .The United States has been so concerned in the ordeals of other countries that it has forgotten its own. Something needs to be done. The United States should pull out of Iraq. The war is not worth putting the nation further into debt because it is not a necessary expenditure.
- America has problems of its own. In his book Terrorism and War, Howard Zinn reveals that “the war has obscured the fact that many people in this country are still in need” (Zinn 37). Recession is causing a cut in pay and employment for the U.S. citizens. Zinn further discusses that “cities around the world are experiencing a new and sudden wave of homelessness” (Zinn 37). This new wave is causing an increase in necessary welfare programs, a situation that calls for more money that the United States does not have. The government should focus on its people before the economy deteriorates beyond help. The money spent on the war could be used for a less murderous and more humane cause.
- The value of freedom and human lives is not a measurable price. In his article “A War to Be Proud Of,” Christopher Hitchens argues that “the only real strategy of deception has come from those who believe, or pretend, that Saddam Hussein was no problem” (Hitchens). Saddam was a tyrant and a murderer. By putting an end to the Hussein regime, the United States has eliminated a possible threat. Hitchens further argues that “coexistence with aggressive regimes or expansionist, theocratic, and totalitarian ideologies is not in fact possible” (Hitchens). Therefore, one could conclude that the money being spent on the war is a small price for safety of our nation and the lives of the Iraqi people.
- However, without an economy, the nation cannot exist. Once the economy has completely deteriorated, the result will be utter chaos. In his article “Saturday Review: Environment,” Colin Tudge argues that “high prices will lead to panic, panic leads to depression, and depression brings the chaos that breeds fascism” (Tudge). Without economic stability, the U.S. citizens could be forced into a state of frenzy. In that case, the government will have no nation worth defending. As for the Hussein regime, the United States was in full support of Saddam for years before now. If Saddam was such a threat, then the government should not have waited so long to exterminate that threat. It is true that the value of human lives is incalculable, but with a deteriorating economy, the U.S. will be sacrificing the lives of its own people. This nation needs wake up and become more aware of its own problems rather than dabbling in the affairs of other countries.
Here's a decent looking website I found containing facts on the Iraq War and some other current issues.
