Issues: Ending the War in Iraq
John Miglietta at the United Nations in New York.
The US must immediately withdraw from Iraq and cease all base building in that country. We must work to develop and help fund a multinational peacekeeping force either under the United Nations or the League of Arab States to keep the peace in the country and secure its borders. We must contribute expertise and funds to rebuild the country.
>The official cost of the war in Iraq has exceeded $500 billion with no end in sight. It is argued the figure comes to $3 trillion and counting when factoring in the total cost of the war. These costs include caring for wounded veterans, replacement of military equipment, the increase in the national debt caused by borrowing money to finance the war, as well as other indirect economic costs. (See Linda J. Bilmes and Joseph Stiglitz, "The Iraq War Will Cost Us $3 Trillion, and Much More", Washington Post, March 9, 2008.)
>Over 4,000 Americans have been killed in this conflict. Estimates of Iraqi deaths vary but they range from 84,000 to over 1 million.
>This war has severely damaged U.S. credibility around the world.
>It has created propaganda for terrorists and made it easier for them to recruit.
>The conflict is also affecting the U.S. treasury forcing the federal government to go into further debt, stagnating our economy, and preventing us from dealing with domestic priorities such as education, healthcare, and the rebuilding of American infrastructure.
>The war in Iraq has directly impacted Tennesseans. It is estimated that since the war started it has cost Tennessee taxpayers close to $1 billion. This has severely impacted the ability of many Tennesseans to have access to healthcare, education, or housing.
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