“I do agree with a domestic policy of smaller government and more individual freedom.”
Hard to find a single conservative that does not support this idea. The question is, how do you reduce the size of government without reducing the need for government solutions to self-induced ills caused by liberal social policies?
“I have also come to realize that we simply can’t afford any more of these wars whether we like them or not.”
You seem aware of the cost of winning. Now, can you guestimate the cost of losing this particular war?
“I am very conflicted on all of the issues.”
We see that! You have lots of company BTW...
“This war could cost close to a trillion by the time we are done.”
You are talking about libertarians favorite subject here, MONEY! Now put a number on the cost of losing this war, in terms of American bodybags on U.S. streets?
“So I am a war monger that supports Ron Paul. I guess that means I need a therapist.”
No... the shrinks in Hollyweird have done enough damage already! LOL
“I don’t think Paul’s policies for Iraq are a good solution for where we are right now.”
This is innocent American life hanging in the balance here. Tell me again why you support Ron Paul?
You seem aware of the cost of winning. Now, can you guestimate the cost of losing this particular war?”
I hear ya brother. Not acting also has costs. Pulling out to soon could have grave costs. I supported the war from the beginning and I still support winning in Iraq. I think we are winning.
My point is though if we had better information about how much this war would cost it would have influenced our decision making process. I am not saying that we should have done nothing. But we may have looked harder for a more cost effective option.
Consider the opportunity costs. That $500 billion is $500 billion we can’t spend on something else. What if we could have found a way to assassinate Saddam for a tidy $100 million?
What could you do with $500 billion?
What about a Marshall Plan for America. What about 100 new nuclear reactors, and updating the energy grid and other infrastructure. We could have been investing in massive plants to turn Shale into Oil. We could have built a new pipeline through Alaska and starting drilling up there and in the Arctic circle. These are daydreams of mine. Perhaps would could have hit them harder by going after energy independence and taking away their source of funds. But those are just dreams.
We are where we are, and I support victory in Iraq. None of us can go back, and Ron Paul can’t either. We are waist deep in the muck and the only way is to fight our way out or get slaughtered in retreat.
More than anything I wish this war to be a precedent that America will stick to it and win. I want this war to discourage other potential conflicts. I want it to be the last war, because I do not wish to fight again. The only way that has a chance is if we stick to it and win. On the bright side, I think we are winning.