Don't waste our money in desert

Most U.S. cities and states are broke and cutting back on education, police, firemen and other critical services. The federal government's deficit is gigantic. Therefore, President Obama should dramatically change priorities and redirect the billions in funding from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to enforcing financial reforms, initiating a comprehensive immigration policy and adopting an energy independence plan while helping the cities and states avoid deep cuts that will harm a lot of people.

It is time that we think about U.S. citizens first instead of trying to reform corrupt governments in Iraq and Afghanistan and impose our system of government that they really don't want. In the end, whether we leave now or in another eight years, the results will likely be the same. Why sacrifice more lives and waste more money in the desert while we suffer at home?

Tom Minnerick

Elgin