my 131 letter to the editor almost didn't get written.

[w8liftinglady]

I have battle fatigue,I think.How many times do you have to point out the obvious before people get it?I made a promise to Monkeyman(that I would write weekly until the war ends)..so here it is..to be published tuesday.
To the editor:
By the time this letter is printed,the number will be 4,000.On the 5th anniversary of the War in Iraq,4,000 Americans have lost their lives in battle.Nearly 30,000 troops have been wounded so severely they couldn’t return to service.Over 1 million troops have been deployed to Iraq since March 20,2003.It is estimated nearly 30% will come home with mental effects of battle severe enough to require treatment.You say you haven’t heard those figures?Not a surprise-our country has moved on.

The war has cost our country 600 billion dollars thus far.But don’t despair,America.KBR Corp. profits are up 65% in one year($15 billion).Dyncorp had record profits(785 billion).Lockheed martin profits rose by 20 billion dollars in one quarter.The list goes on…corporations who are making money off the blood of our soldiers and of the Iraqis.On March 19,2008,Vice-President Dick Cheney was asked in an interview what he thought of the fact that 67% of Americans felt the war was not worth the bloodshed.His reply?...”So?”

Do you think the war is worth it?So far,this war has cost Waxahachie taxpayers $55 million dollars.This money could have provided 12,570 people with health insurance.It could have provided 7,214 scholarships for college students.It could have opened new headstart programs for our children,and hired more teachers.It could have hired more public safety officers,or gone to secure our own borders.

When will enough be enough?Will it be lives or dollars that finally determines the “success” of this war?

[stellanoir]

1. Great letter

All I would suggest is that you mention our crumbling infrastructure as well, in terms of another place some of that dough could have gone.

That issue really gets to people as it endangers us all.

[w8liftinglady]

2. actually-that will probably be my next one..

[stellanoir]

3. Okay and sorry if that suggestion took anything away from your

afterglow of completion.

:)

[w8liftinglady]

4. Hey-I need inspiration!

:hug:

[stellanoir]

5. Hey I just stumbled on this site

http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home

and thought it might help you in composing future articles.

[w8liftinglady]

6. LOL..that's where those numbers came from...but I hope everyone alerts their communities...