So we invaded Afghanistan and Iraq. I will stand aside while all the talking heads and politicians continue to wrangle about who made the decisions then, who makes them now, and what if any difference it makes to Afghanistan and Iraq.

However, I find no one who really "comes clean" on the effects those two wars have had and still have on us - the homeland folks. Sporadic news or no-news media blurbs give us glimpses of the effects, but no one stays on point long enough to put the real meat on the table.

In my non-judgmental opinion, here's the meat. And sadly, it's bloody. It's the blood of our troops, the NATO troops, civilians and allies. Some of the blood comes from the still living, yet maimed and injured, and some of the blood is from the corpses stilled forever.

The meat is the spoiled meat of broken marriages, spouse abuse, domestic violence, and homelessness. It is the singed meat of American sons and daughters whose souls have been burned by horrific firefights and sniper attacks, repeated tours of duty, less than needed armorment, and inadequate medical and psychological care for returning veterans.

Born again "On behalf of all Americans" politicians stand up and sit down to the commands of left and right wing extremists who threaten to cut off campaign finding or dinners at the country club. Republicans and Democrats outspend each other on media campaigns to get elected to positions of power and influence, where after a short time expediency and self-interest replace initial idealism and the desire to present "We the People".

I want us to stop acting like the world's policemen and problem solver, when we can't adequately police the streets of our own cities. I want us to follow the plan in place and bring our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan. And when they get home I want us to give them respectful and adequate needed medical treatment, options for further education, career training, and if necessary preferential treatment in applying for jobs.

If the present Congress and Administration cannot focus on the "We the People" in the United States of America, then I want a different President and Congress.

Jim Mittino

St. Louis