I've always learned that during times of war, a country's economy benefits. Large businesses that supply the war make money, and that money is then recycled back into the economy. This isn't exactly the case with the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our economy is actually doing much worse than it would be if we weren't in the war. So basically, with the combination of borrowed money to finance the war (which increases taxes), the increase in the price of gas, and the long-terms health care that injured soldiers need, the American population is paying $20,900 per 4 person family.
an MSNBC report said:
"The $1.6 trillion figure, for the period from 2002 to 2008, translates into a cost of $20,900 for a family of four, the report said. The Bush administration has requested $804 billion for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined, the report stated."
I live in a four person family and that puts things into perspective. That money could: buy me a new car, help pay for my college education, go to charity, pay bills, go towards a nice vacation etc etc...you get the point.
Also, as oil prices keep rising our extra spending money is decreasing. If things continue to move in this direction, inflation will happen and another stock market crash is bound to come.
Here's another thing to look at:
Bush just recently vetoed a bill that would provide $606 billion towards health care and education.
This seems a bit twisted to me. Bush is willing to provide trillions of dollars to fund a war that the majority of the American people don't support but he isn't willing to spend that money on the health and education of his OWN people? I thought the reason behind a government was to support it's people. The people are supposed to be the government. So why is it that I'm funding a war that I, and the majority of the U.S. population, don't support?
I just recently spoke to a French women who said "Bush wears many vests." Which basically means, he is wishy-washy and changes his opinions often. I'm ready for a President that will get us out of this war and give me a confident answer for the question of "where is our country headed?" Something has to be done because we can't continue like this.
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Explain to me how the economy is doing worse?
Our economy grew more than 3% last quarter. Also, one French woman's opinion (vague at that) means nothing. French President Sarkozy is an ardent supporter of the US, and he is only one of many world leaders who are US supporters recently elected.
I'd also like to add that the only reason that health care bill keeps getting vetoed is that the Democrats enjoy watching it fail so they can claim the Big Bad Bush Monster is at it again. They don't change anything, it's still socialist, and then THEY refuse to compromise and discuss things with the President so it can be resolved and actually help people.
You should really do a little more research.
http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/10/real_estate/Top_ten_cities_for_foreclosu...
People are unable to pay for their mortgages so they are losing their homes. This is happening throughout the county.
here's an example of how wonderful no child left behind is working
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070405/SCHOOLS/70405...
many students don't want to go to a school that doesn't have sufficient supplies etc to support their learning. With these school closings, jobs were lost. I work with a girl whose mother was a teacher in Detroit Public Schools and she lost her job. With the increasing lack of jobs here her mother is unable to find work. The girl I work with must help support her family.
It's a never ending cycle.
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"Is it true, said Candide, that people in Paris are always laughing?"
-Voltaire
Once again, you need to do a little research. The economy is not based on the housing market.
The reason people are losing their mortgages is based on crappy lenders who have been over-stepping their bounds for years. The debt of the average American has been soaring as people take out mortgages they can't afford, encouraged by Ads and lenders, second mortgages, ect.
And again, a single example of someone you know and an inner city school does not show the economy. I just stated for you AN ACTUAL STATISTIC... a "fact" if you will that last quarter the economy GREW by 3%... showing that we are NOT entering a recession and you are therefore WRONG.
NO, the facts are unregulated capitalism, by yes predatory lenders taking advantage of under educated types. Rolling all these ridiculous high risk mortgages, and by high risk I mean they knew they would fail. Then turned the packages into securities and traded them openly as assets on the stock market. Not being forthright with the buyers as to the composition of these securities. Yes that's right dishonesty in the marketplace by lack of disclosure is unethical. So when these high risker's proved why they were called such. The value of these securities began to plummet. I'll tell ya, I am so sick of brain dead droner's go on about redundant ill reputed facts from windbags like Sean Hannity, his fake ass liberal counterpart Colmes'. I spent 6 months listening to his gargle, and through all of it. It is all bs. unchecked, made up bs. Meant to keep the brain dead middle class loud mouths waving their plastic flags, and pointing fingers, trying to create a fight....I have several family member's buying that BS.
And I wouldn't call Fannie mac or Sallie Mae bogus lenders....
Explain to me how the economy is doing worse?
Our economy grew more than 3% last quarter.
Mortgage Crisis/credit crunch
The loss of 28,000 jobs in January alone of 2008
Stocks declining
the steady decline of the dollar's worth(inflation, which is the real test of ones economy)
I agree with engkatiemarie, you do need to do more research on what you are talking (writing) about. I support the reason we went into war. I think that the president is doing the best he can with what he has had to deal with.
Let me ask you a question do you think that President Bush would have gotten slammed if we would have ignored 9/11 and did not get into the war? I do so it is a lose-lose situation. The American public would have never let him just do nothing about the attack and now he is getting criticized for even going to war in Afganistan. As for iraq all the democrats are complaining and back sliding about the war when they voted for the war in the first place. I call that wishy -washy.
Of course being put into that situation as a President is difficult and I've always said that was one of the only times I have respected Bush is when he took action for what he believed was right. But now the war is nothing like he said it would be. We have been in the war for far too long and it seems like it just keeps getting funded and not many soldiers are coming back. There is little progress.
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"Is it true, said Candide, that people in Paris are always laughing?"
-Voltaire
There actually is significant progress. Mortar and rocket attacks are down by 50%, casualties are down significantly (both civilian and military), and we are beginning to withdraw troops. We expect to have 3,000 back before Christmas!
Once again, you make false statements without doing any research. Read the news. Don't start typing unless you know the truth.