How can we afford three wars?

We can't, but the government will just print more money to pay for it, causing the dollar to decline even more. The world and this country's leaders have gone crazy. It doesn't seem to matter which political part is in power. I voted for Obama. I always vote Democrat. I thought surely Obama will not allow himself to be suckered into some distant war. That he would get us out of Afghanistan and Iraq so no other grandfathers would have to welcome home their war hero grandsons and granddaughters at base hospitals where their limbs are being amputated or parts of their brains are missing because of terrible wounds these kids are getting now. But no, now we are fighting Libyans, trying to save Libya from Libyans. In just a few days it's already cost over a billion dollars! Damn it to hell! When are they going to learn?

America is not involved in three wars. Actually we are not involved in any "war". If you buy what the politicians are telling us, it is better to fight the Taliban on their turf than ours. An excuse that is become much more intolerable.

America can not afford more combat or any type. Our ground forces are weaken and badly equipped. Our Guard is depleted and under manned. If the economy had not gone in the tank, enlistment would be at an all time low. As it is the quality of American fighting forces is at an all time low, including the officer corp.

I do not understand why you linked to that story. There is nothing there that discusses the issue of war affordability. I think the President did a good job handling the Libya event. He wont commit America to another war. I also ignore the standard rhetoric from the Republican talk heads. Their priories are not those of the American people.

The truth from here in the UK is Sandy that we can't.

The cost to personnel and equipment is phenomenal.

Moral wise, our forces are so stretched that they're barely home for more than five minutes before they're off again somewhere else.

We are still struggling to come out of a recession so money-wise I just wonder where all these sadly depleted resources are coming from, it's all too grim.

If you choose to call the Libya intervention a war, there are other countries expending money also.

We cannot even afford to be in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are borrowing money from China and Japan to finance those operations.

How can we afford to invade countries and try to impose democracy and then not answer a call for help from people who are fighting for democracy? (The fact that the country is oil rich has nothing to do with it). OK, so I'm a cynical Brit.

I'm going to go along with Patti on this. We can't afford it. It will push us over the edge we are teetering on. This administration wants our economy to collapse. That's why they refuse to cut spending. Going back and forth over whether or not to cut 5 million, well ok, but we are going to add this many billion, too. Collapse the system, then rebuild it the way you want it. A one-world government. It's coming folks, and it won't be pretty.

War is good for business...People get employed making everything that is used to fight wars. When people are employed they spend more. The economy goes up, people are paying their taxes and everyone is happy.... Well--except for the soldier's families who still have the agony of waiting to see if their loved ones come home again or not.

France is taking the lead in the Libyan war.

Do like we always have, borrow from the Chi-coms. What's another trillion. Good luck to our children.

We can't. And it also begs the question: How can we be at war? I thought Congress had to declare war.