It was a day to be remembered when five years ago President Bush sent our troops and our country into today's ongoing Iraq War.  With a 48 hour deadline, Hussein remained in his country, only to be executed over a year later by hanging, and seen by millions on Youtube.  The American people have endured the longest war in American history, mourned the lives of nearly 4,000 young men and women, and 66% of Americans wonder why we are still there, according to a CNN opinion poll. With an election just around the corner, the American people must now decide whether or not to stay in Iraq, or begin withdrawing troops.  With so many other issues, such as the economy, the housing crisis, and astronomical gas prices ($3.63/gallon in California and Hawaii), should we be concerned with what is happening here, or concerned with what is happening abroad?

            Our candidates have very strong viewpoints and plans for what can happen in Iraq if they are elected president.  The two democratic nominees are ready to begin responsible withdrawal and McCain sees the war as an ongoing process for victory.  If the poll is correct in accurately stating that 66% of Americans, or about 198 million people, are ready for this war to end, why are we still there?  The majority of the vote in a democracy is supposed to be the winning plan.  Why isn't President Bush and Congress listening to the American people's demands and bringing our troops home? 

            The Iraq War: The Costs to States by Foreign Policy in Focus, estimates that Nevada will have spent over $4.7 billion, or $4,100 per household nationwide to fund the war.  The money that Nevada has contributed to the $526 billion Iraq War bill could have supplied 1.3 million college students with scholarships, an interesting figure, considering the current tuition hike that was proposed earlier this year for the College of Southern Nevada, Nevada's largest college. It also could have provided close to 25,000 affordable housing units across the country, or here in Nevada where the homeless population is higher than average, and is only continuing to grow. What is more precious than our financial status is the 210 soldiers from Nevada that have been killed our wounded while serving in Iraq.