I am not an expert on the military possibilities of an engagement with Iran. (Damn it Jim -- I'm an economist, not a military strategist!). However, watching the news it would seen the right wing is definitely pushing for some type of confrontation with Iran.
Here's a news flash regarding that possibility. We can't afford it financially.
The bottom line is the US is printing debt like it's going out of style. According to the US Treasury Department, the US has issued more than $3 trillion of debt since Bush took office.
On December 31, 2001, total Federal Debt outstanding was $5,943,438,563,436.13.
As of September 27, 2007, total debt outstanding is $8,972,984,124,356.93.
That's an increase of $3,029,545,560,920.80 since Bush's first full fiscal year of 2002.
If you want to see the totals for yourself, go to this website at the US Treasury.
Here's a graph of total debt outstanding.
Anyone see a pattern here? The total amount of debt just keeps going up and up and up with no end in sight.
There have been five increases in the debt ceiling since Bush took office.
The bottom line is we can't afford the current military actions in Iraq. Adding another war would do nothing be make the current situation worse.