These so-called wars for democracy are in reality wars of terror on the people of Afghanistan and Iraq. Both countries are in ruin. Many areas are without access to electricity, water, education and medical care. This war has only killed millions and destroyed the lives of countless others. In addition to the destruction, these wars have cost trillions of dollars and taken the lives of thousands of U.S. soldiers. As the politicians say cuts are necessary to public services, Social Security, Medicare, education, as much as 4 trillion dollars have been spent on these wars. These wars don’t benefit the people of Iraq, Afghanistan or the U.S., but only serve the interests of the private corporations, war contractors and big banks who run this system.
Afghanistan
- 100,000 Afghans have been killed.
- One in five Afghan children die before the age of five
- 40% of Afghans are unemployed
- Violent incidents (roadside bombings, armed clashes) are up 39% from last year.
- As of May 2011, 3.3 million people have been internally displaced or are refugees.
Iraq
- An estimated 2.3 million Iraqis have been killed since March 2003 through either direct violence or lack of access to resources.
- About six million Iraqis, or 15% of the population have been driven from their homes as refugees.
- 60% of Iraqis are unemployed.
- 28% of Iraqi children are malnourished.
- 70% of Iraqis have no clean water.
U.S.
- Over 7,100 soldiers have been killed.
- Over 100,000 soldiers have been maimed or wounded.
- On average 18 veterans commit suicide per day.
- Spending on Iraq and Afghanistan wars so far: $1,256,201,231,440 (as of 9/26/11)
- This year’s spending on the war in Afghanistan would more than pay every state’s deficit, instead of deep social cuts
| California War Spending Could Pay for…• 1.9 million Elementary School Teachers for
One Year (or) • 99.1 million Children Receiving Low-Income Healthcare for One Year (or) • 17.6 million Scholarships for University Students for One Year (or) • 45,000 new public schools for one year |
