INVEST IN AMERICA


	Consumer Alerts

INVEST IN AMERICA�S FUTURE

Endless Iraq war leaves U.S. without Security or Critical Domestic Programs

National Guard

The U.S. Reserves are meant to be used as a last resort. 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 natural disaster or nuclear, chemical, or biological attack. One quarter of these troops have been deployed more than once, putting a strain on the lives of these brave men and women, as well as weakening homeland security.

Veterans

Upon returning to the U.S. after service, veterans wait 6 months on average for simple physical and mental evaluations. The U.S. is spending billions in Iraq, but not taking care of the veterans here at home. In 2004, 1.8 million vets were uninsured. A disproportionate number of veterans are homeless as a result of the housing crisis, the lack of healthcare, and mental or physical health problems from fighting in the war. More than one-third 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 any way to treat those who fought to protect America?

Real Cost of Iraq War

America

* $12 billion a month
* Over $500 billion and counting since the Iraq war started
* U.S. debt has increased by 4.6 trillion
* 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

Where are American tax dollars?

The President 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 Representative where your tax dollars SHOULD go.

202-224-3121

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 Page

Education

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.

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

� $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

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