President Bush Orders More Troops to Iraq

I am confused. President Bush said that the voters on Nov. 6 voted against more taxes, and now he would definitely be against raising taxes. However, he increased the number of American soldiers to be sent to the gulf by 140,000 so that the total would come to 450,000. As of now, that is, before this new escalation, the cost has been $3 billion monthly. Obviously, this new increase in the number of American soldiers to be sent and maintained in the gulf will mean even more expense.

From where does this $3 billion-plus come? Is this not where a significant portion of our tax dollars is going?

He also declared that with the new increase of troops in the gulf our forces there would be an offensive army. Is this a declaration of war? He has made this declaration when the Congress was not in session. Is he avoiding a debate in Congress as to whether the American people want to change the status of our involvement from defensive to offensive? Has he tried every diplomatic means possible?

Bush has involved the United Nations in the gulf crisis, but so far that has only been for sanctions and for building a defensive coalition in Saudi Arabia. Has he tried diplomacy via the United Nations to negotiate a settlement before it comes to war?

Do Americans really want their tax dollars to go to war, or, if given a clear-cut choice, would they want those same tax dollars used to take care of the current and future crises of their environment, their cities, the infrastructure, education, medical care, housing, etc.?

Do we really understand the cost of this war? Was it even debated in this election campaign? Did we vote for it on Nov. 9?

BETTY WARNER SHEINBAUM

Los Angeles