[PigRigger]

"If you honestly believe national security is resting on the success of building a welfare state in a country 10,000 miles away, I wonder if there is any hope for this country."

If you honestly believe abandoning the rebuilding effort in Iraq, or having it used as political blackmail, furthers our national security I KNOW there is no hope for this country.

The status quo and/or Isolation only delays our inevitable demise.

BTW, rebuilding a nation does not necessarily mean a welfare state. That's short sighted.

[JohnGalt]

"The status quo and/or Isolation only delays our inevitable demise."

Is that a direct quote from Woodrow Wilson?

Guess I just believe in old fashioned conservative ideas like a well armed citizenry and a decentralized government as the best defense.

[bc2]

please point to the part in the US Constitution that authorizes this sort of expenditure. I've got my copy out but can't seem to find it.

The great part about our Republic is that you are free to donate your share of the $87 billion to a private charity willing to do what is outside of the realm of absolute neccessity to rebuild them and get the hell out.