The real cost of wars in the Mideast

With the war in Iraq and Afghanistan entering its sixth year and surveys revealing 20 percent of the population do not realize that over 4,000 of our armed forces have lost their lives, just what has the war cost us?

The cost of one day is $720 million. Recent figures indicate what this $720 million could buy if used here in the U.S.A.

• 34,000 four-year college scholarships

• 6,482 units of housing

• 12,478 teachers' salaries for one year

• 1,530,000 school lunches

• 95,000 Head Start placements for at-risk students

Inflation symptoms are now being felt in rising food, fuel and medical expenses and the cost to the public cannot be minimized.

It is due time for our political parties to openly discuss what our needs really are instead of approving war budgets that are no aid in helping our own domestic problems as the $720 million cost per day rolls on.

O.C. Bud Grey

Arlington Heights