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INVEST IN AMERICA'S FUTURE
Endless Iraq war leaves U.S. without Security or Critical Domestic Programs
National Guard
In Florida, 18,073 U.S. National Guard and Reserve troops have been deployed to Iraq since 2001. This leaves Florida grossly underprepared in the event of a hurricane or other disaster. The U.S. would be unable to defend itself from nuclear, chemical or biological attack within the nation. This is in large part because 464, 797 National Guard and Reserves from across the nation have been deployed to Iraq. U.S. Reserves are meant to be a last resort, and one quarter of these troops have been deployed more than once. This puts a strain on the lives of the nation�s brave men and women, as well as straining homeland security.
Veterans
Upon returning to the U.S. after service, veterans wait 6 months on average for simple physical and mental evaluations. In 2004, about 1.8 million vets were uninsured. More than 1/3 of America�s homeless are veterans. On any given night, 154,000 veterans are homeless, and about twice as many are homeless at some point in the year. Is this the way to treat those who fought to protect America?
Real Cost of Iraq War
America
- $10 billion a month on Iraq war
- Over $500 billion and counting since the Iraq war started
- U.S. debt has increased by 4.6 trillion
- Federal Aid to state and local governments would fall by $19.2 billion
- By conservative estimates, the total cost of the war will reach $3 trillion
- There have been 65,000 total war casualties
Florida
- $40.9 billion spent and projected for Iraq war through 2009
- $94.9 million; the amount Florida taxpayers spend on the Iraq war every 6 hours
- Americans Against Escalation in Iraq
Tradeoffs in Domestic Spending
Continuous and drastic cuts to programs like healthcare and education along with huge tax breaks only for the wealthy have left the U.S. economy in a projected $410 billion dollar slump. When asked, 68% of the public believe ending the war in Iraq is the top priority to saving the U.S. economy.
Healthcare
In 2006, more than 47 million Americans had no health insurance. At the same time, employer health premiums increased by 7.7%. The year before, national health expenditures rose 6.9%. Both of these numbers rose nearly two times the rate of inflation. Just one day in Iraq could provide over 400,000 children the healthcare they need.
FCAN's Healthcare PageEducation
College education has risen nearly 40% in the last four years. One day in Iraq could put 35,000 students through college or buy school lunches for over 1 million children.
Increases in costs of living
The endless war in Iraq has increased the daily cost of life. The cost of gas has risen $1.63 per gallon since President Bush took office. The cost of home heating oil took a similar increase by $1.67 per gallon. One day in Iraq could provide 1 million homes with renewable energy or 6,500 affordable housing units.
Where are American tax dollars?
President Bush is asking for $156 Billion dollars free and clear for the war in Iraq for 2008, and Florida taxpayers will pay about $9 billion of that.
In the time it will take you to call your Representative, $700,000 more will be spent on the extended war in Iraq.
Tell your politician where your tax dollars SHOULD go.
202-224-3121
More Cuts for American Programs
Housing assistance vouchers cut by $17.4 billion, or 100,000 fewer households
Funding for job training and employment assistance but by $1 billion, affecting 161,000 people
$41 million in cuts for Community Development Block Grants, affecting 223 communities
Medicare cut by $1.8 billion
Medicaid cut by $18 billion
$32.2 million cut from Social Services Block Grants
Head Start funding cut back to 2005 levels, affecting 13,000 kids
FCAN's SCHIP Page