How would things be different today if Saddam Hussain were still in power?

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   LoliHeyposted 7 years ago

   How would things be different today if Saddam Hussain were still in power?
   
   Would there be an ISIS?  What are the benefits and negatives of getting rid of him?

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   Rupert Taylorposted 7 years ago

   Several hundred thousand people who are now dead would still be alive. Five thousand American troops would not have died for nothing other than the increased profits of Haliburton et al, let alone all the many thousands of others having to deal with physical and mental disabilities. George W. Bush wouldn't have all that blood on his hands (Not that it seems to bother him) and he might not be considered quite the blundering idiot he is

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   lions44posted 7 years ago

   Speaking as a former Bush supporter:
   
   If Saddam were still in power, the Middle East would be slightly more stable.  Like Rupert says, many our soldiers and those of our allies, would be alive and many more not disabled. Thousands of Iraqs would be alive as well, albeit still living tyranny. 
   
   There would be no ISIS.  Middle Eastern strongmen were always able to clamp down on their religious nuts with their own style of domestic terror.  Same goes for Libya.  The Arab Spring brought us democracy in Egypt. How did that turn out?  Not ready for primetime.
   
   Also, it would have meant more resources for Afghanistan. That's where the real issue was and still exists.  I truly believe the situation there would be quite different had we not invaded Iraq. 
   
   I have to wonder how someone could become President of the United States with such little conceptual knowledge of the world.  How can you be fooled so easily by your VP, Def. Sec and CIA director?  As a Republican for nearly 30 years, I'm disgusted.  The damage to our reputation will take years to rebuild.  I'm all for spreading freedom, but not at the expense of weakening our own position in the world. You can support movements inside countries like we did in the last century. 
   
   Oddly though, W is still well respected among the troops.  He visits VA hospitals as well as bases regularly and is warmly received.  I would be very angry.   
   
   Great question.

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      Rupert Taylorposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      CJ. I admire your candor in speaking out against the actions of the party you have supported for so long. Takes a thoughtful and courageous person to admit he's been duped. I always thought Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz etc. were Bush's puppeteers.

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      lions44posted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks very much, Rupert.  I always considered Bush the puppet.   
      One day I will get my party back.  We're getting there.  After 2016, we will clean house as we deal with HRC.

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   dashingscorpioposted 7 years ago

   
   
   There would be no ISIS, 4500+ American soldiers would still be alive, Their loved one's families would be in tact, there would be several thousands less (wounded warriors) & military suicides of those who returned home would be down, and 500,000 Iraqi people would still be alive. Last but not least the American people would have saved $2 Trillion dollars and counting....

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