The use of brutal force by the Assad regime in Syria against its citizens is deplorable. The determination that chemical weapons were used has increased our potential involvement. Although President Barack Obama has hesitated to commit to any involvement, there are those, such as Sen. John McCain, who are now banging the war drums.
Our involvements in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq were supposed to be short-term commitments and ended up lasting eight to 12 years. These wars have drained the United States of both financial and human resources. Do we see the pattern here? What makes us think that any involvement in Syria would be different?
It is honorable to want to help the people of Syria escape from a regime that is willing to massacre its own citizens, but we need to seriously consider the cost. Our country faces unacceptable unemployment, debt-induced college costs, and roads, schools and bridges that are deteriorating. Involvement in another conflict will drain the United States of necessary resources that could be used to fix our problems at home. Let's hope that this administration thinks long and hard about what history has shown before we commit more money and lives in another foreign engagement.
Vince Stein
Albany