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Want to Save Detroit? End the Iraq War

People are dying, and more importantly, money is being lost

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 26, 2008 11:30 AM CST

(Newser) – You don’t hear much about the Iraq war these days, though the US death toll hit 4,205 on Monday. If human life isn't a convincing enough reason to bow out, writes Roger Simon in Politico, then here's one that "really is upsetting people these days: money." The war costs us $9-$12 billion per month, making Detroit’s request for a $25 billion bailout seem paltry.

If Obama ended the war scant months earlier, he could easily afford to save the auto industry—and have about $5 billion left over to spend on "luxury items" like education, health care, and the environment. Instead, the withdrawal date keeps getting pushed back. Yesterday, Obama vowed to eliminate programs that don't work. “I suggest we eliminate the war in Iraq,” writes Simon. “We can’t afford it. If it’s a choice between shedding American lives in Iraq or saving American jobs in the United States, I choose jobs.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

In this July 6, 2008 file photo, a long row of unsold H3's sit at a Hummer dealership in Castle Rock, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)

An unsold H3 sits at a Hummer dealership in Castle Rock, Colo., on Sunday, July 6, 2008. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

A US soldier walks behind a Christian church during a patrol, in Tal Kaeef, north of Mosul, 225 miles (360 kilometers) northwest of Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

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The media have grown bored with the Iraq war. We seem more fascinated with who is going to be the next deputy undersecretary of party hats at the inauguration than the continued fighting and dying in Iraq. - Roger Simon

If it’s a choice between shedding American lives in Iraq or saving American jobs in the United States, I choose jobs. - Roger Simon

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

Fondue

Nov 26, 2008 8:54 PM CST

I've seen your comments all day today Corona. You are obviously a religious right-winger, and you obviously believe the war in Iraq was about 9/11. Read your history douche. Iraq was about WMDs that were not there and yellow cake from Africa. ALL LIES. Tell you what, let's end entitlement programs for republicans only and see how you like them apples when you have an unforeseen health issue and need monetary assistance just to get by. Y'know what? I'm gonna go there -- yep, I sure am. I'm goin' Michelle Bachmann on your ass........... YOU AND ALL REPUBLICANS ARE ANTI-AMERICAN

RichardF

Nov 26, 2008 7:27 PM CST

Corona_king, you would do well to pick up a dictionary. While your arguments - throughout Newser articles - are certainly clear and passionate they are not, I repeat, NOT logic. Your arguments are always filled with name-calling (e.g. "pathetic liberal traitors"), and are clear and passionate RHETORIC, not logic. I suggest you look these words up in the dictionary to gain an understanding of what they mean. Rush Limbaugh, by the way, is NOT a credible source for the definitions of these words.

Guest

Nov 26, 2008 3:21 AM CST

"War against America's enemies" LOL.. Wow you're so deep into 2001 GOP rhetoric I truly don't think you'll ever find yourself out. Damned be the economy! Damned be American livelyhoods! Damned be education, healthcare and *gasp* the environment (Which we all know is fine as it is!) So long as we can keep spending BILLIONS of dollars a month fighting an insurgency conflict in the name of conceited patriotism! VIVA Sarah, indeed! Who cares that she thought Africa' was a country?!? She can see Russia from Alaska! Now that's enough experience to blow anyone out of the water ;) And let's not forget that pinko socialist crap! Because that single mother of 3 can find her own ways of providing her children a future! Shame indeed Coronoa_King.. Shame indeed.

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Want to Save Detroit? End the Iraq War