Can anyone tell me why we're helping Iraq with money when Americans suffer everyday?
95959
The war and "help" in Iraq is all for selfish purposes. IE: they have oil that we need. If the government was really that interested in helping other countries they would start with Africa where they've had genocide taking place and the numbers of people who have AIDS and are starving are astronomical. Africa though can't help us and doesn't have any commodities that our government wants. Simple as that. That being said, if the government was really all that concerned about those in need, at the very least they'd start with all of those who were affected by Hurricane Katrina. It is insane that there are many, many, MANY motor homes and trailers are sitting in lots while there are people and I don't just mean a few, who are living in "tent cities" with outhouses for bathrooms that they share with hundreds of other people. Yes, this is still happening TODAY. I am not talking about what happened 6 months ago. They are being forced to suffer simply because of red tape.\n\nI know that the Iraqi people have suffered but so have many others including our fellow countrymen. The reason the Iraqi's got so lucky is that they have something we want/need. I won't even get started on the potential reprecussions of Bush letting the ports be used by Arab nations...........
362611
We need solutions and I hate to hope for it but....honesty. The Iraq war is a mistake! We spend a DISQUSTING amount of $$ on a huge, useless military. We need someone who will realize and admit this to the American public so that the situation can be fixed. The incredibly stupid and regressive tax cuts need to stop also. I think that once we free up all of those monies, we can use it to solve big problems that most Americans really care about. Namely, top rate education and healthcare.
164321
the government is so stuipid. it went to Iraq to rob oil, but each barrel of petrol cost 3 times its price just to steal it;)\nI wonder when will US stop wars. or at least to stop washing our brains that we have a great future. \ni think we get that amount when the currency falls .when  you can buy one coca cola for 1000$
649254
it is sad to think they are doing so well because of the Corporations and the Government of ours letting them take jobs knowing they are slave labor. Our Government knows of the cheep labor we are promoting this now. Theses poor people over there need our help but our Gov. is afraid they might get upset who cares. We talk a good story why we went to Iraq to help them from a bad person. \nits like why did we go to Iraq when Iran and Korea and China are way worse.\nWe are giving our land to Mexico and business to China\n\nWe need to start thinking AMERICA FIRST\nWhy don't we help China
293982
Because we're not about saving oppressed people.  There are millions of oppressed people in the world, and we don't do much for them.  We only use the rationale of tyrants and dictators oppressing their people when it suits our economic interests to apply pressure on the governments in power.  \n\nIts not about democracy- its about economics.\n\nLook at Darfur.  There's millions dead there, and Bush hasn't even blinked.\n\nIf these places had resources that they were being less-than forthcoming with to our country, you'd see us "helping" the oppressed people of their country.\n\nIf they don't have resources or economic value to us, they don't get help.\n\nQuite hypocrytical and opportunistic, if you ask me.  But that's the way the world works.
582254
See movie "Wag the Dog", insert Iraq as target country. If the federal government pours billions and billions into our economy, we experience positive economic growth artificially. It also can have the effect of artificially push our fuel usage to the maximun of production capability, hense rising gas/diesel prices/profits. It also has the potential to allow companies in the oil industry, where our president and vice president have their roots, to know in advance and have the numbers worked out in advance, to bid on government contracts to supply background services for that war. But ultimately, you must remember, this isn't about people making money. Its only and I stress ONLY about terrorism and people that attacked the U.S., even though they actually had nothing to do with Iraq, aside from the fact that they were muslims. We only engaged in that war to protect American citizens from a threat that wasn't really there, oops I meant perceived to be there. Notice this whole thing started from stock knives on airplanes and we are allowed to carry them on airplanes again, now that the machine is in motion.
702322
Because they don't want the American people to know exactly how much money the US is spending on the war and what they are spending it on.  I saw a "60 Minutes" story about how the US has "misplaced" $800 million in Iraq....
854247
Iraq wants the US and everyone else to leave.  They feel nothing will be resolved with all the "occupiers" around.\n\nIn terms of money...well, Bush's contracting companies didn't do too much and they left and took the money with them.  Check it out:\nhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/11/AR2006111101076.html
18703
You're assuming that we are actually helping Iraq.  \n\nI don't think we're helping Iraq.  I don't think we should be "helping" Iraq.  In fact, the U.S. has a very poor track record "helping" other countries.  More often than not, the other countries end up worse off than before.\n\nAllowing unlimited Mexicans to enter the U.S. is not going to help Mexico or Mexicans.  It will simply depress the already depressed economy in the border areas, and in metropolitan areas farther north.\n\nNor will having the U.S. just throw money at Mexico help for more than a very short time.  It may feed people for a short time, but it won't improve the economy.  \n\nMexico is poor because it is poor in natural resources, especially in arable land. The only way to improve the economy is to either improve the natural resources available or find ways of providing valuable goods services to entities outside of Mexico so that money is flowing into the country.
390946
are you serious ? or you are just posting this to get a kick out of people's responses.\n\nIt is a known fact that out of all industrialized nations in the world, the US does the least to help the poor (in terms of their possibilities). There are many good things about the US, helping the poor ain't one of them !\n\nWhere exactly do you get your information ? Let me guess Fox News?
751857
Bush has requested Billions of dollars in funds for Iraq sometime ago. Most of those funds went to the military. I guess Gordon Brown wanted a fund program that is more specific to Iraq's economy.
338100
This is no small question.  :)\n\nIn your family, eluding poverty involves hard work.  Those who start poor will not have an easy time, but hard work is the key.  Nevertheless, life throws us sour apples at times and there is no way to perfectly prevent bankruptcy or financial ruin.  Things happen.  These are learning arenas where only by persisting can one make headway.\n\nAs far as country is concerned, I will speak for the sake of the USA (my country).  There really is no excuse for poverty in America; we have more than enough resources to meet the needs of every American and all those who would wish to immigrate.  ***Allocation*** is the problem, and I don't mean that in the Capitalism vs. Socialism frame -- I still believe in Capitalism.  Thing is, many items on our budget are frivolous or faulty; it is grand that our government is kind enough to fund socially-minded groups (which can be funded by charity), individuals who refuse to take care of themselves (remaining in poverty and pulling others down with them), and poor countries (don't get upset on this one yet; I'll handle it next), but meanwhile we have starving children of our own.  Nobody should be starving; there's enough food in America to feed the whole Western continent!!! \n\nAnd the world at large...  We have spent decades throwing money into third world countries, and no change has been made.  The reason:  most of these countries are ruled by selfish dictators who take our generous funds and use them craftily in self-serving ways.  You CANNOT pour money into a country with corrupted leadership!  \n\nGhana is an excellent example; thousands of Christians with good intentions send supplies and money to this country...apparently unaware that the military (and postal service itself) goes through these things before they ever reach their target.  When they do, if they do, guess what?  Yep.  Resources are gone.  I've been to Ghana and seen this with my own eyes.  The only way to get resources in successfully is by taking them in yourself or being there when they arrive...and since civil law is ruled militaristically, this still does not mean you will keep them.\n\nUnfortunately, I don't have a sound answer to eradicating poverty in third world countries.  We could make sure resources entered in massive quantities, but that would not necessarily change the economy or government...and we've recently experienced how costly and grueling changing the government can be (if you're responsible afterwards).
1014749
every one would like free money but as you well know freedom isn't free and it cost american's far more in healtcare,financial aide and education for illegals than 1,500 a year. as for the 2,520 lives, how many are lost on the highways of this nation every month due to drunk driving, how about murder rates, what about the number of children each year who die at the hands of their 'loved ones', want to discuss the number of deaths due to cigarettes now? how much do you think these 'little wars' cost us every month? year? talk about senseless deaths...add to that how many iraqi citizens died horrific deaths daily at the hands of hussein? throwing idiotic claims like yours around detracts the ignorant from the real issues, unfortunately you have a lot of ignorant people out there who would rather believe you rather than seek the truth.
1063998
Don't you wish that money could be used for those AMERICANS that really need it?
647366
The answer is no.  This country is in bad shape.  Millions of people are considered at a poverty level, and here we are spending all the nations money on Iraq.  Bush is just trying to finish what his father started.  We need to focus on the American peoples well being before Iraq.  If he wants to worry about something he need to put the troops in Afganistan (or however it is spelled) where the real threat is.
471038
As a quick and blunt answer I would say they need America's money. There's probably other reasons too, but these guys from Kyoto get caught up in little things that this is the answer that hits my cynical mind first.
181861
I am sorry for the above answer - while we know that things are difficult over there, it is difficult for us to remember the Iraqis when we have troops so far away from home getting injured or killed. Our government has already spent a significant amount of money, and I am certain that a portion of that money includes support for the Iraqi citizens.\n\nPLEASE do not take the above answer as the opinion of every U.S. Citizen!