The US has spent over $500 Billion on the futile war in Iraq. What would this money have achieved in Africa?

Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 and had no connections with Al Qaeda. No Weapons of Mass Destruction, either. Yet, the American Taxpayer has paid over $500 Billion and is still paying over $2 B a week. Couldn't this money have been better spent in fighting HIV, improving irrigation and raising the living standards of people in Africa and uplifting this Continent from the depths of despair?

africa?this is american money and we need to be taking care of our people first !

I prefer to consider what 500 Billion would do in America.

Fix schools, improve law enforcement, pay down the debt....

Possibly, but I wonder what it could have acheived right here with a war on drugs, poverty, education, violent crimes, standard of living, etc....

Why keep pumping all this money into a lost cause? And while I was there, I still believe without a change in tactics, we will never leave.

I th ink the money would of been better spent here in the US helping out poor communities and helping out working poor. Improving green areas here at home. Other countries never appreciate our help it seems so why bother to help them out in the first place. I say keep the money here and help our own.

Not much, the squabbling factions in Africa would fritter and waste that money and use it for war anyway.

We could have spent it here on health care or infrastructure, but I'm sure the Iraqis will pay us back with their oil!

The United States spends more money for humanitarian relief in Africa than any other country in the world!!!

Africa??? This would be very helpful in our own Country.....Lets worry about our own Country before others...

There's an old saying: charity begins at home. What say we work on fixing the problems here, then see what we can do elsewhere?

Nothing. It would have been flushed down the toilet by the corrupt African governments that caused these problems with mass genocide in the first place.

The money invested in peace initiatives just goes right to the warlords committing the genocides for arms and drugs and HIV continues to grow at incredible rates no matter how much money we throw at these problems. When will liberals ever accept some personal responsibility for their actions and seek to change their behaviors?

No connections with al Qaeda??? Have you just returned from your four year summer at your house on Planet Uranus?

Most of it? Gone into the coffers of whoever is currently in charge, or for weapons to keep them in charge.

Well,

I see your point.. but just my two cents.. why do people think Africa is the only continent with AIDs issues? Or the only continent people want to help??? The money we don't spend here in America.. we should spend in other countries.. but I think its foolish to spend money on a war.. aaand to spend all of our money in a foreign country without solving some of our own problems here first...

Don't be a fool. America has given billions to Africa over the years trying to fix what Europeans and Muslims have screwed up.What di our money get us? Food left to rot on docks because corrupt governments and warlords withheld it from their people. We are still just as hated there as anywhere else.

War or no war, we will continue to try to help Africa anyway because that's what we are. We always step up and try to help; with food, money or military force if necessary. So get off our case okay?

the war in Iraq is worth it. Its either us over there or them over here. U pick

yes we could be a lot of help in africa,and we could be alot of help in many places,but the US also has drugs,and poverty,and abuse, as does everywhere else, which needs to be taken care of here so i completely agree with the fact that too much money is spent on the war and probably most of your views on the war but i think there's a lot of work to be done closer to home too

That $500 Billion has been spent raising the living standards of the Iraqi people. The kids in Iraq right now will be able to live a life free of fear and suffering, because of what we've done there. The liberty purchased for Iraqis translates directly to our freedom from attack here.

Why would you consider giving the money to Africa? We need it here. The Dems could have given it to the lazy asses who have 6 kids and can't work because childcare is too expensive. Come on now.