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These are more questions than a precursor to a rant.  I am not arrogant enough to believe that I know what is right and have the right answer despite how deeply conflicted I feel about this conflict.  I do find it interesting how both senators are choosing to focus on domestic economic policy and are leaving the Iraq question out of their discussions.  That answer is obvious:  Poll after Poll show that is what the American people care about the most.

But for me the real transcendental question of this generation of Americans is the Iraq Question: What is America to do?  This question really will transcend the next president and will steer the course of this nation more than any economic policy either of these two candidates currently proposes.  In fact this question really can not be discussed without considering the authority of Congress, which by the way is the real supporter of this conflict.  Really?  Congress funds the equipment and pay of our soldiers and the House may pass a resolution demanding that our troops come home.  They have not because in reality they want some type of presence there for whatever their reasons may be - both political and conditions based.

I really don't know what the right answer is...and I say that in all humility.  I could cite the tons of statistics that both Conservative and liberal newspapers spout in support and in opposition to an American presence in Iraq, but the right path really seems elusive.  

I am a man under 34, meaning I could get drafted, but that doesn't bother me because if a war is just, a people must rise up and defend the righteous cause.  But is this conflict a just cause?  

I like to believe that there are no good wars - only necessary and unnecessary wars. 

There in lies the rub.  Sen. McCain believes this is a necessary conflict and Sen. Obama does not.  I don't even like to call this a war because a war has battle lines or guerilla warfare when in fact this is a military occupation for the purpose of defense and reconstruction.  In other words like what which we HAVE in Japan and Korea.  Unlike those nations though the citizens of that nation have choosen to commit terrorist attacks against other civilians and American forces in a steady amount. 

Personally, I think the loss is acceptable in terms of military causualties and the reward of American interests being protected.  But then is that really everything?  What about the father and mother who have lost a son in Iraq?  Is the loss any more comforting because it is an acceptable margin?  I don't know.  There are some military families that think a worthy sacrifice has been made for good and others who think the loss of a life was not worth the presence in Iraq.

Then there is the cost of the conflict.  Oh my it is in the TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS NOW!  Thus this conflict and the American economy are entangled in every way possible.  NO ONE can disagree that the economy in its present state and its future state is not affected by the expense of this Iraq conflict.  Should this expense continue?  I don't think so at all.  Of course does that mean all militry presence should end there?  No

The cost of being in Korea and Japan is no where near as close as our presence in Iraq presently is, meaning we should draw down our troops from Iraw to acceptable levels.  The presence then would become permanent.  Permanent?  Yup just like our miliary presence in Korea - over 50 years of over 50000 soldiers there, and the permanent bases in Japan.  That does not mean there would be a steady number of casualties though since most of those deaths occur in patrols.  Again though this is just an idea.  So many prominent men in much higher places would disagree.

I will be voting for Senator McCain this fall but I believe our presence in Iraq must diminish considerably to a level acceptable to generals - and soon.  The debt of this conflict is too high.  I want to see a strong dollar, a strong economy, and America not feeling burdened with reconstructing Iraq.  I don't care if Iranian influence increases.  The danger is to Israel and the Eurpoeans not the US.  I hope Senator McCain comes to some realization of the economic cost of this war and not just the political cost of this war.