The economic situation in America is on a decline, and many Americans believe that the war in Iraq has contributed to the problem. With gas prices skyrocketing and the housing market plunging, it is evident that the cost of this fruitless war has been a strain on the nation’s economy.
The money spent in Iraq, which amounts to about $411 million a day, could be put to good use here in the United States. The Bush administration argues that the war is good for the economy because we’re buying equipment and creating jobs. The truth of the matter is that the economy is slowly declining, and many jobs are being cut.
Some state that the United States has fallen into a recession. With the increase in gas prices, subprime mortgage foreclosures and job cuts, it’s quite obvious that the money being spent in Iraq could have been put to better use.
Another factor that contributes to our war-stricken economy is how the war was financed. While a good amount is coming out of every American’s pocket, the rest is being borrowed. Unfortunately, it’s the Americans who will be stuck paying the bill. Recently, Congress passed an economic stimulus package that would give millions of Americans up to $1,200. This is supposed to increase spending and boost the economy, but with soaring gas prices and the housing crisis, it may do nothing but pay bills.
The war has cost us $1 trillion and will continue to take away from the critical necessities in our country. As we continue to stay in Iraq, our paychecks will shrink, jobs will be cut, housing will reach a crossroad, and gas prices will continue to soar. Whatever the mission in Iraq was, it was obviously not accomplished, and we’re paying for the Bush administration’s brilliant decisions.
Trudy Panalal is a Rutgers-Newark student. Posted September 2008.
