We have just gone past several ugly milestones worth thinking about. None are uplifting or need celebrating, but all should be recognized and discussed.

The Iraq War has just slogged into its fifth year. During that time the United States has sacrificed over 4,000 of its citizens to the conflict. And that doesn’t count those tens of thousands physically, emotionally, and pschologically maimed for the rest of their lives. It also doesnt even begin to count the loss of life and property of the Iraqis.

The war has cost our country over $484,000,000,000 in cash, and the respect, good will and friendship of millions of people around the globe. Our military budget this year is now $522 BILLION.

These are costs that need to be pondered and prayed over. Our country will spend over TEN TIMES MORE this year on it’s military than it would take to eliminate hunger ($19 Billion), achieve universal primary education ($12 Billion), and provide clean water and sanitaion for the entire world ($23 Billion).

We live in a broken and hurting world. I am not naive. I realize we also live in a dangerous world. But, I would far more rather have my money going to help heal the world’s hurts than adding to them. Surely I am not the only one that feels this way.

The primary question for me is simple.  How do we act in a way that is true to our moral values? Supporting the Iraq War and a obscenely bloated military budget sure isn’t it.