BigRob, et al,
I may not agree, entirely, with "WolfLarsen's" comment; but to deny the cost of wars and military conflicts is a bit unreasonable. It is much like the "Ostrich Effect" (the general avoidance of obvious risk in political-military situations by pretending they do not exist). While it gives a warm and fuzzy feeling, it has a price and consequences.
(COMMENT)
Wars (military conflicts, preparations, and logistical efforts) cost money. And that money is only a piece of the cost (excluding the issue of lives). Iraq and Afghanistan, indeed most of the hegemonic effort in the Middle East, was borrowed money with interest, over and above general tax revenue. And it was not a capital investment. They is absolutely no reasonable expectation of a return. While the infrastructure in America constantly grows weaker, and budget outlays are diverted from homeland improvements, the economy becomes circulates less cash domestically, the ability of Americans to pay taxes supporting armed military adventures, becomes more and more difficult.
These wars are drains to the taxpayer for which there is no replenishment. And we are not talking about a couple of million dollars, or even a couple of billion dollars. We are talking about a factor of a 100 times more (a Trillion Dollars); the US federal debt is about $10 Trillion Dollars (Gross National Debt is about $14 Trillion).
The cost is there. We just don't look at it.
Most Respectfully,
R
