McHenry protestors : this unwinnable war costs too much

Thursday afternoon local MoveOn members delivered a scathing report on the cost of the Iraq War to Rep. Patrick McHenry's Hickory office along with a large check for $900 million dollars.

Why 900 mil? It's how much tax money has come from citizens of the 10th district to fund that war. MoveOn members want their Congressman and fellow citizens to think what that kind of money could have done for our schools, our health care system, our futures. Or, think like a Republican and imagine what you could have done with your own money in your own private bank account.

From the local MoveOn chapter's press release:

Since the Iraq war began, Congress has spent almost a half-trillion dollar on an unwinnable civil war. The cost of the war to North Carolina taxpayers alone is $12.34 billion. Residents in the 10th district are paying $900 million for the Iraq war.

“Every day the war goes on means more of our hard earned tax dollars are wasted on an endless religious civil war that can’t be won,” said Linda Osbon local MoveOn member. “The $900 million being spent in Iraq should be put to better use here at home helping residents of the 10th district. We’ve had enough. Rep. Patrick McHenry and Senators Dole and Burr need to vote in September to end this war and bring our troops home or face being brought home by their constituents in 2008,” concluded Osbon.

The report shows that over 413,000 children could have been insured; 121,384 kids could have been sent to Headstart; 8,518 units of affordable housing could have been provided; and over 23,000 public safety officers could have been put on our streets. The report also highlights the terrible trade-offs, the broken promises, and the failed policies that got us to this point.