When President Bush declared war on Iraq in 2003, did you imagine America would be in the state it is today?

Millions of people tuned in to watch President Bush address the nation last Wednesday evening, only to hear him proposing an increase of 20,000 troops to aid in rebuilding the Iraqi government and military.

As of January 2007, CNN reports 3,017 troops have given their lives, and at least 22,834 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon. These numbers are not impressive. Military forces have been exhausted the last three years due to soldiers being assigned to multiple duty stations and deployments; many have served more than two tours in Iraq, according to CNN reports. What is the definition of victory? What is the price Americans must pay for the freedom of others?

It’s been more than five years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, and American soldiers are still fighting a seemingly endless war overseas. Though the United States Defense Department admits there has been much retaliation during the recovery process in Iraq, Bush continues to avoid an exit strategy. So now that there have been conclusions that there were no weapons of mass destruction found, and Saddam Hussein has been executed by his own government, when is Bush going to bring our men and women home?

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are sensitive issues to the American people, especially when we see yellow ribbons tied around trees, flags in our neighborhoods and bumper stickers reading “Support our Troops” daily. Hearing another solider wounded or killed on the news not only saddens us but ignites more fury towards the war.

During Bush’s speech, he admitted that previous U.S. military offensives have failed by saying, “Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me.” Maybe we should give Bush credit for finally admitting his mistakes, but why not apologize by not putting our men and women on the frontlines? Americans have long blamed Bush for the war. Our deepest criticisms have been made clear about this war, pushing our Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield to resign and Bush’s plumeting approval ratings throughout the years.

While we understand that America is the land of opportunity, and freedom is not free, there must be limits to sacrifice. Hopefully when the presidental election in 2008 occurs, our next commander in chief will learn from Bush’s mistakes, work for the American people and rebuild our military to protect American soil, not others’.