SYRIA: We need to stay out

Regarding more military involvement in the Middle East, I find it discouraging and frustrating that our government is wanting to get involved in yet another war, now in Syria. We have been at war in the Middle East for a very long time. We have lost thousands of our finest young people, both men and women. We have spent billions upon billions of dollars and we have nothing to show for it except a huge debt, and a great loss of lives.

Please, keep out of this conflict. We have more than five veterans a day committing suicide right now. We cannot take care of our wounded as they desperately need. The VA is overwhelmed and cannot keep up with the demand. What does it take for our government to wake up and get a clue? Our country is in a shambles. We are struggling in a sea of despair. There are not enough jobs to go around; we have record homeless and we cannot keep ignoring our plight.

If the government wants to go to war so badly, then give the members of Congress, the Senate and the executive branch, a weapon and put them on the front lines. Let them die for our country and maybe we will be able to replace them with people who have more sense.

Who cares if Syria wants to kill themselves off? Let them do it. Then we will have one less enemy to deal with. Quit sending money overseas and start taking care of our own people and our country. We have terrorist right here setting fires in our parks and forests waging economic terror in our own backyard. WE DO NOT NEED TO BE THE WORLD POLICE FORCE! It is time that we pay attention to us. Our country is a mess. Wake up and smell the coffee, and let’s get to work taking care of us. It is time!

RUSS DeVERNIERO

Coeur d’Alene