The U.S. troops have the support of many. However, the idea of sending more troops to Afghanistan is unjust. We are not just sending defense forces out, we are sending someone’s mother, father, sister, brother, cousin, etc.
One should contemplate the idea of having politicians toying around with the lives of our loved ones. The continued argument goes on as they declare it to be the only way to make this country safe; but at what cost? Would it be at the cost of having thousands of lives lost? Or how about taking it in a different direction and asking are we financially ready?
Adding more troops could cost an additional $20 billion a year, according to a senior Pentagon official on CNN.com. That is $500,000 per person per year. The estimated number of troops President Obama is considering to send is 40,000.
This cost includes the cost of personnel operations, personnel maintenance, some equipment and hazardous duty pay.
According to CNN.com, the actual cost could be higher because the estimate does not include the cost of constructing additional facilities to support such things as military intelligence assets that may be based outside Afghanistan or replacing damaged weapons and equipment.
All of that money going to the war should be spent elsewhere. Perhaps where it is needed the most would be health care and businesses. The economy, as we know, has been awful and Americans are going through the depression of not having such things as health care and secured employment.
Lastly, the deaths in Iraq doubled in October compared to September, with 410 people killed across the country, official figures show on brisbanetimes.com. The death toll was higher because of twin suicide vehicle bombings in Baghdad on Oct. 25 that killed more than 150 people.
There were also 1,275 civilians, 135 police and 90 soldiers wounded in October, according to the latest data. In addition, eight U.S. soldiers died in Iraq last month, bringing the total to 4,355 deaths, according to icasualties.org.
This all leads back to those who are losing their loved ones. Doing things this way is unjust, people’s families and friends will continue to die if this war is not ended soon. Let’s bring the troops back.