Last week, the executive branch released its 2004 budget, whichfeatured an $87 billion request for continued anti-terroristefforts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. Compare this figure to$502 billion requested for ‘Health and Human Services’and $59.5 billion for education, which is primarily funded at thelocal and state levels. Increased spending and adherence to recenttax cut plans result in a record setting $525 billion deficit.
However, media reports paint an unfairly negative picture ofgovernment deficits. Bond issues from the treasury are notnecessarily heinous. As long as population growth exceeds theinterest rate, a government can indefinitely roll over debt byborrowing from its citizens. Adding international creditors to theequation further decreases the threat a deficit poses.
Additionally, students of history understand the necessity of acommitment to rebuild war-torn nations. Especially in Iraq, whichendures deep economic scars from decades of Saddam’streachery, the need for assistance is obvious.
Chasing Hussein out of Baghdad and heading back to America wouldhave accomplished little. An infrastructure should be establishedso that a small group of despots cannot seize control of thenation’s wealth. With 112 billion barrels in confirmed oilreserves (second larges in the world), the standard of living inIraq could be remarkable.
An online comment from a recent editorial reminded Ed Board thatlosses from September 11th will exceed one trillion dollars.Therefore, Ed Board is not here to lambaste the president anddemand that the $87 billion request be flatly denied. However,before Congress writes the check, several concerns must beaddressed.
First, a specific and well constructed plan must be presentedthat gives some assurance the money will not be squandered.Programs must be truly beneficial to needy foreigners, and theyshould foster an international atmosphere that is not conducive toterrorism. Americans are statistically the most charitable peopleon Earth, but we still expect the expenditures to improve ourappraisal of domestic security. After all, anti-terrorist effortswere the objectives behind the invasions in the first place.
Second, the international community must become involved in therebuilding efforts. Some foreigners believe that America shouldclean up its own mess, and many Americans refuse to acceptassistance from countries that would not support the war. Bothviewpoints are childish. The United States underestimated thedegree of disorder in Iraq, and we must admit that other nationshave something to offer in the rebuilding process.
Secretary of State Colin Powell claims that United Nationsinvolvement was planned from the outset. We only hope that the U.N.is equally willing to participate, both in actions and financing.The entire world will benefit from a prosperous, peaceful, andterrorist-free Iraq and Afghanistan.
