"In [Gold They] Trust"

Today's paper brought two news items that are in stark contrast and speak volumes about the U.S. and its priorities. On the one hand, there is the news about the billions of dollars that will be needed to repair the damage and restore to normalcy the East and the Northeast after tropical storm "Irene." On the other hand, there is the information on the billions of dollars--roughly, ten times the other amount--that has been wasted on projects of all kinds in Afghanistan and Iraq that have come to nothing, as well as the outright corrupt practices by American contractors over there, who, in essence, have stolen money from the U.S. government and taxpayers.

So, while millions of people are in dire need of assistance due to the storm, their government keeps throwing away money overseas in two wars that only benefit a select group of private individuals and companies.

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