Drowning

I was much further out than you thought
And not waving but drowning
--Not Waving But Drowning, Stevie Smith

Why don't they make some kinda new law

That stops making a religion out of war?
--Far Far, M.I.A

Stupidity got us into this mess,
and stupidity will get us out
--Homer, The Simpsons

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The wars and the economy are inextricably linked key concerns for the U.S., yet none of the presidential hopefuls draw the parallels: the failures are two sides of the same coin. Both must be dealt with concomitantly or the country will not pull out of its nosedive.

"In 2008, its sixth year, the war will cost approximately $12 billion a month, triple the "burn" rate of its earliest years, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph E. Stiglitz and co-author Linda J. Bilmes report in a new book.

"Beyond 2008, working with "best-case" and "realistic-moderate" scenarios, they project the Iraq and Afghan wars, including long-term U.S. military occupations of those countries, will cost the U.S. budget between $1.7 trillion and $2.7 trillion — or more — by 2017 (Iraq Costs $12 B Per Month.)"

Historically, all wars have been financed with deficit spending. But that was then; this is now. The U.S. is no longer facing an expansive future. Now is a crucial moment of reevaluation and realignment for this nation.

From oil to the dollar to trade deficits, to mortgage concerns and private and public debt --all are immediate problems demanding answers. The leaders so far have chosen the route of ignoring the problem, or denial. George W. Bush takes his cues from Martha Stewart and simply chooses to call all bad things, good things. It is not rational nor reasonable, but it is unassailable for that reason.

The wakeup call is coming, whether our leadership decides to get real anytime soon or not. You don't have to call the concierge on this one.

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Dave C. Johnson: Ranger requests you make contact via personal email. We would like to recognize you as a friend and bring you into the wire. We appreciate your advocacy. All personal email remains as such --Ranger