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<STRONG>For the last six months we have been hammered by the media about "bailouts" and "stimulus packages" in amounts that are hard for the average person to even comprehend. I don't even know how many zeros it takes to write out some of the figures that are being tossed about.</STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>Every day the news is grim with tales of more layoffs, bank failures, people losing their savings and their homes. CEO's beg Uncle Sam (aka you and me, fellow taxpayer) for cash to stay afloat and then squander a chunk relaxing at a spa before getting down to business.</STRONG><BR>
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<STRONG>And through it all, the one thing that hasn't been really looked at closely or even discussed as far as I can tell, is the cost of the Iraq war.</STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>What is it now, anyway? Is it still estimated at $720 million per day?</STRONG><BR>
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<STRONG>Last year I remember the signs at the Peace Rally in Friendship Square. . . their message knocked my socks off because they broke the cost down into everyday terms I could grasp.</STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>Now remember fellow taxpayer. . . this is YOUR MONEY! So, I ask you. . . . </STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>How would you spend $720 million per day? How much bang for your buck? How about. . . . . </STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>* 84 new elementary schools across the United States.</STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>* 12,478 elementary school teachers.</STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>* 95,364 Head Start places for children.</STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>* 1,153,846 free school lunches.</STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>* 34,904 four year university scholarships.</STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>* 163,525 people with health care.</STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>* 423,529 children with health care.</STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>* 6,482 families with homes.</STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>* 1,274,336 homes with renewable electricity.</STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>Wow! Now there's a "stimulus package" I can comprehend! Every day, 84 new construction crews get to work building schools. . . . that alone would create a few jobs around the country.</STRONG><BR>
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<STRONG>Just something to mull over.</STRONG><BR>
<STRONG></STRONG> <BR>
<STRONG>Ellen A. Roskovich </STRONG><BR>
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