U.S. still suffering effect of Iraq War

In the March 24 edition of the Des Moines Register, Sen. Chuck Grassley gave a risible self-serving defense of his alleged efforts to stem runaway federal spending. It is incomprehensible that anyone who blindly supported the insane invasion of a sovereign nation can be considered fiscally or militarily responsible.

It was not only a fiscal catastrophe for our country but a military disaster as well. But this senator maintains that Saddam would be worse than Hitler. What hubris! Iraq had been engaged in an eight-year-long war with Iran, its natural enemy. Senator, where was Iraq's industrial capacity after a debilitating war with Iran? It was almost nonexistent. What the senator needs to explain is why those with no combat experience are so quick to send our sons and daughters and grandchildren into harm's way.

And maybe the fiscally responsible senator can explain why this horrific fiasco was funded with off-budget financing, tax cuts for the wealthy and money borrowed from China. Is this any way to wage a war, senator? After prosecuting for 10 years, are we any safer? Iran is the big winner of our misbegotten fiasco. We are still suffering the financial consequences of this horrific policy.

Don Friedman

Iowa City