A reader writes:
Hammer. Nail. Head.
The question for the American people is this:
Send 500,000 troops and raise taxes to pay for the war, or retreat.
What is unfortunate is that the Democrats seem incapable of putting the issue to the American people in this manner while the Republicans are content in avoiding it altogether in hopes of staving off defeat in November. The current state of political polarization and what passes as our political discourse means we will never, ever be asked to meaningfully discuss the pros and cons of either option by our political leaders.
My personal opinion is that we should get out, but if presented with a viable way to stave off collapse and catastrophe through the sending of more troops and the expenditure of more money, I would consider supporting it. What is clear, however, is that current policy only portends more and greater disaster if we continue on the path we are on now. The status quo is only a recipe for failure. That we are still on it is entirely due to our dysfunctional, paralyzing domestic politics.