Democrats have been howling like a wounded dog over the president’s request to fund the reconstruction and security of Iraq. Most Democrats hate the idea of spending American dollars that could be spent here on the expansion of programs for education, health care and who knows what else. It sounds as if the Demo-crats do not believe that helping liberate a nation from torture chambers, mass graves and a Stalinist regime is worth any American sacrifice to provide a better world community.

After all, $87 billion is a lot of money, right? Not really. It represents only 1 percent of America’s gross domestic product over the next 20 years. This means that the liberation of Iraq is one of the least expensive wars and one of the most morally responsible undertakings America has ever conducted. Furthermore, America, with its 29 coalition partners, is proving each day that teaching the people of Iraq how to be responsible for their future will hasten our departure and ensure a strong ally and prosperous Iraq.

The long-term payoff of having a stable ally in the Middle East that participates with other nations in peace is not a current sacrifice to America, but an obligation to the greatness of America. This time, the Democrats have it all wrong.

James Elliott Jr.

Bangor