January 29, 2007 [LINK / comment]

War and home front sacrifice

One of the qualms expressed by many of us who supported the liberation of Iraq is that President Bush has been too reluctant to ask the American people to sacrifice for the war effort. (For example, see Aug. 7, 2006 and Jan. 28, 2005.) It suggests that this country may not have the necessary willpower to win the long struggle against Islamic extremism. In his January 16 interview on the PBS News Hour, President Bush once again let slip the opportunity, when was asked by Jim Lehrer why he hasn't called upon the American people to make sacrifices for the war effort:

PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, you know, I think a lot of people are in this fight. I mean, they sacrifice peace of mind when they see the terrible images of violence on TV every night. I mean, we've got a fantastic economy here in the United States, but yet, when you think about the psychology of the country, it is somewhat down because of this war.

Now, here in Washington when I say, "What do you mean by that?," they say, "Well, why don't you raise their taxes; that'll cause there to be a sacrifice." I strongly oppose that. If that's the kind of sacrifice people are talking about, I'm not for it because raising taxes will hurt this growing economy. And one thing we want during this war on terror is for people to feel like their life's moving on, that they're able to make a living and send their kids to college and put more money on the table. And you know, I am interested and open-minded to the suggestion, but this is going to be -

Good grief. I hate to admit it, but leftist Ruben Bolling's latest Tom the Dancing Bug comic aptly mocks Bush's complacent attitude on the need to sacrifice. Do images of carnage upset you? Change the channel! Feel guilty about not serving in the military? Let poor folks volunteer! Worried about paying for the war? Borrow the money from the Chi-Coms! Cut back on driving to conserve gas? Hell, no! In all seriousness, I sure hope Bush really is "open-minded" about suggestions. He will have to make a serious attitude adjustment one of these days, and so will the country.