Iraq+War+II

toc Blake and Sam

=What is the war in Iraq?= The war in Iraq is an issue that causes many societal problems in the United States and has a lot of U.S. government involvement. The war has caused problems for the U.S. economy because sending troops and aid to Iraq is very costly. The Iraq war costs 12 billion dollars every month. ([|U.S. Liberals]) Seven out of ten Americans think that the Iraq War is hurting the economy. Economists have estimated that the war will end up costing more than 3 trillion U.S. dollars. ([|Washington Post 1]), ([|Washington Post 2]) This war has brought many other issues to the attention of the American society. These issues include casualties of both Iraqi citizens and Americans. ([|CNN]) There have been 4,185 confirmed U.S. military deaths in Iraq and 1,273,378 Iraq civilian deaths. ([|Icasualties]), ([|Antiwar]) These economic and military issues have become important hot topics in today’s presidential elections.

=What is the government's role?= Our involvement in the war began when the U.S. government authorized cruise missiles to hit Baghdad, Iraq’s capital city. This happened because President George W. Bush believed that Iraq had nuclear weapons. ([|BBC]) The U.S. government can decide to send troops into battle and to declare war. The U.S. has made the decision to send troops into Iraq, but has not declared war yet. ([|CNN]) One of the primary reasons for our involvement, was to establish a new government in Iraq. The United States provides economic aid to Iraq, to rebuild its economy. ([|USA Today]) U.S. soldiers invading Iraq ([|Brittanica])

=What are the hot topics?= Many important hot topics involving the War in Iraq are being addressed by the presidential candidates. Troop withdrawal is important because it could end the war if the troops leave. This would leave more money for the U.S. economy. ([|Fox News]) Government spending to help Iraq rebuild is also important. It is important because Iraq relies on money that the U. S. government gives them. Another important topic of discussion between the presidential candidates is the war on terrorism. The war on terrorism is important because it stops terror cells that are located within the United States and prevents future terrorist attacks. It is a response to the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. ([|Wikipedia])

=What are the candidates' positions?= McCain and Obama both agree and disagree about different topics on the war. In commercials and speeches, Obama has said he wants the troops out of Iraq by 2010. He believes we should start withdrawing troops slowly. ([|NY Times 2]) McCain stated that more troops are needed in Iraq, in order to win the war. ([|NY Times 3]) In the debates, the war in Iraq has been a major topic. In past voting records, Obama voted against the war completely in 2002. “ Now we are debating who should be our next Commander in Chief. And I am running for President because it's time to turn the page on a failed ideology and a fundamentally flawed political strategy, so that we can make pragmatic judgments to keep our country safe. That's what I did when I stood up and opposed this war from the start, and said that we needed to finish the fight against al Qaeda. And that's what I'll do as President of the United States.”    ([|Barack Obama]) However, past voting records for McCain show that he supported the war and the surge of troops. ([|John McCain]) John McCain said in one of his speeches, “I fought for the right strategy and more troops in Iraq, when it wasn't a popular thing to do. And when the pundits said my campaign was finished, I said I'd rather lose an election than see my country lose a war.” McCain is saying that he wants the troops in Iraq to finish what we started and he is not about to change his mind to get people to vote for him. Both of the candidates agree that the war on terrorism will help avoid future terrorist attacks. ([|Barack Obama]) ([|John McCain]) Also, Obama and McCain agree that they should stabilize Iraq’s economy before they pull the troops out of Iraq. Both presidential candidates have their own views and possible solutions for the various issues involved in the war in Iraq. 

McCain vs. Obama ([|agoravox])