Politics: Harsh Reality? We'll Ignore It

The Madison Capitol Times editorial page -- always ably overseen by John Nichols -- had an excellent observation of President Bush's unbelievably over-the-top request for $87 billion to fight the unnecessary war in Iraq this morning. This is the cost of Halliburton's plunder:

What the president did not mention in his speech is that the $87 billion more he seeks to fund his occupations abroad could pay for 1.4 million new teachers at home. It could help 11 million low-income families meet housing needs. It could provide health care coverage for 30 million children.

For Wisconsinites and residents of other states that are struggling to maintain state and local services in the face of economic doldrums, the $87 billion would balance every state budget.

Overseas, the United States should begin to address the conditions that create the frustration and resentments that lead to terrorism. The president's $87 billion could, according to UNICEF, meet the basic human needs of every impoverished person on Earth.

So what do our lawmakers, responsible for initiating and authorizing the spending that America undertakes, have to say?

No problem.