Beyond the very real debate over the legitimacy and loss of human lives, including members of our armed forces, the cost of the war with Iran (or this “excursion” as most recently noted by the President) has been conservatively calculated at $890 million per day. As of the date of this letter, we have been at war for 14 days, which equates to $12.46 billion which is being added to our national debt. These figures, while alarming, do not even take into account the increasing costs to America for products that utilize oil, not least of which is gas at the pump. For this price tag, the American public deserves a coherent policy and a clear articulation of the “end-game.” Instead, this administration, enabled by Republican lawmakers such as Reps. GT Thompson and Dan Meuser has offered a disorganized strategy with no exit in sight. Once again, Congress has failed to provide the constitutional checks and balances required of it. Adding potential insult to injury, it is curious to say the least about the timing of the Iran attack. Given the history of this administration’s penchant for doing outrageous things to change the news cycle, it is not unreasonable to ask what the immediate threat was. While most Americans appreciate the fact that the Supreme Leader and the Guardianship of Iran have never been our friend or ally, the timing of this action does raise serious legitimate questions to which we, the people, deserve answers.
Timothy Knoster, Lewisburg