Whenever we visit the neighbouring province of Prince Edward Island (PEI), we cross the 8-mile long Confederation Bridge between the mainland in New Brunswick and the island, across the Northumberland Strait (which ices in the winter, incidentally).
That bridge cost Canada $1 billion, and took almost 5 years to build (1992-1997). It was the fulfillment of a promise made to PIE just before Canada became a sovereign nation (in 1867) to connect PEI to the mainland.
That bridge gave thousands of people jobs. I know men who worked on that project; and have their names enshrined in the brick paving at the PEI welcome centre.
For perspective, consider that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have cost, to date, at a very conservative minimum, $1,700 billion. Those wars cost the Americans the equivalent of 1,700 Confederation Bridges. Or, since they probably don't need more than 100 or so Confederation Bridges (that would be 2 per US state), maybe they could use the other $1,600 billion for something else.
What could a country choose to do with $1,600 billion? Any ideas come to your mind?
Or maybe they could build 1,700 Confederation Bridges (that would be 34 in every US state) and then blow them all to bits; Americans seem to enjoy doing that with their wealth.
But 1,700 8-mile long bridges? That's kind of silly. No, build one that's 13,600 miles long! Americans: you can do it (if you choose) ... the rest of the world will be really impressed!
Lots of things come to my mind, though, when I think of what I could do if I had 1,700 Confederation Bridges. I wonder why it never occurs to some Americans that they're simply flushing their treasure down the crapper?
My mother used to say, whenever I would spend my entire weekly allowance on bottle rockets and firecrackers, "Son, you're just burning up your money." Yeh, point conceded, but how I loved to watch it burn! I guess some people just like a lot of noise and pretty sparks.
The wars were of choice; no one forced Americans into them; Americans chose war over what they could have had instead. It was a bad choice, an unwise choice, but one they made with their eyes wide open. My dad always used to tell me: if you want to know what a man's priorities are, watch how he spends his money. People always find a way to afford the things they really want most. Always.
Americans chose war. Americans want war. Lots of it. By their actions; they demonstrate that.
I’m criticizing Americans or that choice. We all know they're God's chosen people, and I'm not questioning that.
But I do think you'd be far better off with 1,700 Confederation Bridges. They’re nice to have!
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