The Staggering National Debt

From Jagjit Singh, Los Altos, CA

I write to express my deep concern about the staggering national debt and the factors contributing to its alarming rise. I believe it is essential to question the excessive spending on unnecessary wars that not only drain our resources but also exacerbate global hostility and instability. For example, I find it disheartening that our unwavering support for apartheid Israel seems contradictory to our professed commitment to human rights, especially considering the dire situation faced by the Palestinian people. Another tragic blunder was faulty intelligence which led to the invasion of Iraq resulting in the death of millions of Iraqis and the birth of Al-Qaeda. The catastrophic mistake in Afghanistan on 5 December 2001 when President George W Bush refused to accept the Taliban’s offer of unnational surrender still haunts us today. This mistake was compounded by freezing Afghan’s assets which led to mass starvation and condemned girls to suffocate isolation imposed by the Taliban.

Trillions of dollars have been expended in conflicts that lack clear goals, long-term strategies, or direct threats to our national security. This reckless expenditure has burdened future generations with a monumental debt that hinders our ability to invest in crucial domestic needs such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and sustainable energy solutions. It is high time we reevaluate our approach to international conflicts and prioritize diplomacy, dialogue, and peaceful resolutions, which can help prevent unnecessary expenditures and foster a more stable world.

(This submission has not been edited)