Where We Should Invest

A large portion of the $500-1,000B spent on this conflict should not have been borrowed in the first place. If we are going to spend large amounts of money like this it's critical that the American people receive real, tangible, benefits for money spent. End Iraq War Now.org views the following as reasonable areas to invest in:

1. Invest in alternative energy research and development. If we had invested $200B four years ago there would be no need for foreign oil. The technology exists now. We need to exercise our will as a society and make alternative energy a priority. Innovation is less expensive than war for replacing a vanishing resource.

2. Implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations. Currently only 50% of the 911 Commission recommendations to secure our borders have been implemented. This should be our first priority. It's an area 100% within our control rather than an offshore war in Iraq which is something we are not able to control. Let's focus on what we are certain we can do to secure America from terrorist attack.

3. Invest in strengthening our military. Ronald Reagan believed in the axiom of peace through strength. We need to maintain our equipment, train, our forces, and prepare for the day when our strength deters an attack. This will take an exercise of will rather than additional money. It also requires that we think things though and never over-extend ourselves like we have in Iraq.

4. Invest in Mexico and Central America. Having strong stable neighbors to the south is the most important foreign policy goal. By funding micro investments in small Mexican and Central American businesses we can help Mexicans and Central Americans help themselves which will reduce the need for illegal immigration and create stronger markets for our goods and services.

5. Invest in the homeless. There's no excuse for a country as rich as the United States to have people wandering the streets because of a lack of funding for private homeless aid centers or mental health facilities for those who are unable to function effectively. We need public foundations that grant funding to private agencies nationwide.