Originally Posted by Cold Synergy

The bottom line is the U.S. saw an opportunity to expand it's borders (militarily), take down one of it's well-sought after enemies, and stimulate the economy all at once. Unfortunately, without the support of the United Nations, skewed intelligence, and a violent backdraft from most of the Middle East our goal of a coup on the Iraqi Gov't was lost in the relentless insurgency that ensued 6 years after the initial conflict.

Any other administration could have pulled this invasion/occupation off flawlessly. Bush and Co. went about attacking Iraq in the wrong sense and the backlash from his "Bring Them On" attitude only heightened those hostilities towards American troops. This war, for the most part, was the biggest failure in U.S. foreign policy history, not to mention the now trillions of dollars of debt we face as a nation because of the longevity and funding of such a costly war.

The only way we will bounce back and retain our status as a global superpower will be to get the hell out of Iraq as soon as possible, try to fix the problems at home (sub-prime mortgaging, health care, immigration, etc.), and show the world that we are willing and capable of using peaceful resolve when conflict isn't necessary. After Bush II leaves, we now have to deal with gaining the support and respect of the U.N., stopping a global war on ideology, and appeasing many of the countries who stopped supporting us after the war. Hell, I hope whoever becomes our next president takes on the policy of isolationism and works on repairing our country for his next two terms. Could you imagine the type of increased standard of living to be had if we had a government that showed it actually cared about it's citizens and it's collective voice?