WISDOM SAYS

Wisdom says that you do not discuss politics or religion in public places. Wisdom says those conversations should only take place behind closed doors. Why does wisdom speak this way?

Simple. Wisdom says these things because politics and religion can be very divisive topics that people may feel very strongly about. If someone feels strongly on a subject and you propose to disagree with them, then you run the risk of alienating or angering the people that you associate with in the public arena.

With the United States on the verge of war with Iraq, the 69% to 71% of Americans who support war in Iraq have tended to follow wisdom's advice. On the other hand, the 29% to 31% who oppose war have been very vociferous about their disagreement with the Bush policies.

Those who are in the minority are looking for any angle to address the "potential" war with Iraq in a desperate attempt to turn the tide of public opinion against the coming war.

The latest argument from those opposed is the one argument that has finally got me riled.

WHAT IS THE COST OF WAR?

Those opposed to war are now arguing the question, "What is the cost of war?"

My immediate response is simple. "How much is too much money to expend for the freedom and protection of Americans?"

Did we argue the cost of the Revolutionary War before undertaking that endeavor?

Did we shrink from the expense of World War II after the war was brought to our shores?

THE PUBLIC RECORD

One of our congresswomen took the Treasury Secretary to task on the issue on March 5th, 2003. She wanted to know what the cost of war is.

Well, congresswoman let me see. A Google.com search for the keywords "cost of Iraq war" turns up an interesting document in the first spot: http://www.cbo.gov/showdoc.cfm?index=3822&sequence=0

This is a summary of the cost of the upcoming war submitted to the House of Representatives by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO). This document was delivered to the Committee on the Budget in the U.S. House of Representatives in September of 2002.

SUMMARY OF IRAQ WAR COST ESTIMATES

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has given these estimates as to the cost of an Iraq war: