My friend Russ Page wrote a while ago about an article that sited a popular political move to call any initiative to root out a problem a “war.” And so I would like to add My Two Cents about the Iraq war and what I think politicians are doing under the guise of “what the American people want,” and not what is best for the world and more what is our responsibility as the last remaining super power and a truly free country.

I think that we should quit fighting drugs in the U.S. Hey, like they politicos are saying, if we can’t win the war why fight it? So my proposal is that we quit all wars that, one, are resulting in lots of casualties (not necessarily the loss of life, the definition is specific to the war), two, cost lots of money, and three, cannot be won easily.

Truth is, the supply of drugs in the U.S. hasn’t gone away, we are still pumping money into the system to try and stop the problem, people are dying of drugs and in drug-related incidents/crimes, probably everyday. So why not throw in the towel? My guess is that’s not what the American people want, and since our politicos have their fingers on the country’s pulse then we should probably trust them to just keep wasting our money.

You think we’re winning the war on poverty? Think again, yeah the economy is good, but are there still people living on the streets? Do we still dole out food stamps? Have we built our last low-income housing project? I don’t think so, but there again, the bright minds in the Nation’s capital know better than us.

My Two Cents: Not all wars will be won within political timelines, does that make them not worth fighting? Do we have a responsibility to see that the Iraqi people are left with a more stable country with less violence and fear of violence? I say that we do. Are wars pretty? Heck no! Are they sometimes necessary? Unless you know a way to convince the oppressors, dictators and tyrants of the world to let go of their evil designs, I think, sadly, wars will be around for a while.

(Photo Credit: townhallmeeting.org)