Stand Up
Five years ago today, the US invaded Iraq under the guise of President Bush's claims that the war would be quick and cheap. The White House estimated it would cost American taxpayers between 50 and 60 billion and last 90 days.
To date, we've spent more then 604 billion dollars with no end in sight. All of these funds have been spent in emergency spending bills and have not been included in the formal budget. As of today, 3,995 US soldiers have died. Over 12,000 have returned with permanent injuries. One in five returning soldiers have brain injuries. It has been estimated that 1/3 of all returning soldiers suffer some form of PTSD or mental trauma. Only the Lord knows how many Iraqi citizens have been killed or injured becuase we don't track this information. And during all this time the President has not called on America to do anything other then "go shopping".
Yesterday, Bush said that the war has been worth the "high cost in lives and treasure". Really. Pretty big talk from a guy who risked nothing except other people's lives and livelihoods. Big talk for the leader of a country that has allowed less then 1% of it's families to carry the burden. There are two Americas right now: one involved in a war, the other involved with American Idol, mortgage rates and hooker gossip.
Our soldiers need help. Do your part.
The Fisher House
Books for Soldiers
Operation Uplink
Army Emergency Relief Fund
Homes for Our Troops
Any Soldier
Locate your local Army National Guard unit and find out if you can help with anything. Locate a local VA hospital or retirement home and go help out. Raise funds through bake sales, races, block parties, etc. and donate to Fisher House. Foster a single soldier's pet while he/she is deployed. Offer to cut the grass, wash the cars, and/or run errands for a local Guard/Reservist family on a weekly basis. If you own a business, hire a vet.
Write to your elected officials...
www.congress.org
the White House
and let them know that vets deserve a fully funded Veteran's Administration. Tell them to stop screwing around with veteran's disability payments. Tell them that PTSD and other mental ailments need to be taken seriously.
It's long past time to share the load.
