What Have We Done Right in Iraq?

It seems to me that all the talk about the war in Iraq is negative, and that's probably because about 90% of what the media presents is negative, or has a negative spin put on it. Well I won't dispute the fact that it was maybe a mistake to go to war in the first place, and that there were no major stock piles of weapons of mass destruction, but there have been plenty of wonderful and amazing things that have happened for those trapped under the regime of an insane dictator, and I just want to take a moment to outline the positive in Iraq.

We ousted a malicious dictator bent on the torture, rape, and murder of his own countrymen and those who would oppose him. No matter what anyone says, Saddam Hussein was an evil man who needed to be dealt with, and so he was. Saddam remained dictator of his country for far too long, instigating a rein of fear. Videos have surfaced that show acts of outright murder, and torture committed by his officials, and in many cases Saddam and his sons would be more then willing to do the dirty work themselves. These acts are of the most horrible kind and should have never been preformed on the most heartless of criminals, much less fourteen year old boys for no more then speaking their mind.

The Iraqi people now have a gift that we take for granted every day of our lives, and that's the gift of freedom! They can live in a world where they can say and do what they want and when they want it. Iraq's people no longer have to live in fear of having their tongues ripped out or cut off due to their opinions. They can write about what they want to in their newspapers and magazines. Iraq is now a free nation, and will remain so, all due to our involvement there.

The economy in Iraq now stabilizing and the people are the ones reaping the benefits, not the government alone. Saddam lived a lavish life of riches and invested all his money into himself and his ideals and those of his immediate party, but now it is the people reaping the benefits of their labors. Iraq's economy is far from stable but it's getting there, and is better now then it was then.

Education is a key concern and even a priority for many families in the newly formed country. More Iraqi children attend school now then at any point in the countries history. Schools have gotten a makeover, and now the classrooms are places of learning and the environment is much safer and clean. Also the curriculum is now better then ever, teachers are allowed to follow a true to the fact curriculum rather then those enforced by Saddam, or other government officials.

Woman now have rights and are allowed to make their own decisions. Woman are treated as equals in the eyes of the government and such instead of dirt as they were treated in the past. Woman have actually played a key roll in the reconstruction of the country, and no longer have to hide under a vale of shame and obscurity. Before the United States intervention into Iraq the women there had little, if anything to do with decisions in government, or work place, and now they have equal rights and can even participate in elections by voting.

Hospitals are running more and more efficiently each and every day. The level of care and the quality of service is extraordinary compared to how it was before the US intervention. Now Hospitals are regularly supplied with vital medications and equipment as it is needed. The doctors receive better training, and have access to the most advanced medical technology available. The healthcare system is in a modernization process and the Iraqi people are receiving better care, more efficient and faster care, all delivered in a clean and sanitary environment. All this was just a dream prior to our intervention.

Many have disputed the degree of support to terrorism that the previous Iraqi regime provided, and I'm not going to enter that realm of discussion. However the oil for food scandal has been thoroughly documented and proves that Saddam did indeed have ties to terror organizations, or at least his men in the government did. So with the old government out of power we see funds to terror organizations provided by such scandals halted. Aside from the oil for food incident who knows how many other organizations we put a stop too that used the very same method?

Voting is a big part of our live in America, in other countries around the world, and now Iraq has the same rights. Iraqi's now have the chance to participate in elections, and choose their leader; the country belongs to the people and will remain that way. Before our intervention we saw an evil dictatorship that sought only to supply itself with more and more power. To enhance their own wealth and elect officials that would benefit them, or keep them in power, all the while the common people of Iraq suffered. After Saddam was thrown out of power the country was put where it belongs, into the hands of its people.

Awareness has risen about the state that the country is in. Before the United Nations decided to go ahead with the invasion of Iraq Saddam and his government kept the country under lock and key. It was unclear the devastation and poverty that plagued the country, especially in areas that were on the outskirts of major towns. Iraq had always been known to have problems, but no where near to the extent of what they truly were. Now with this new exposure, the Iraqi people have received support and aid from all over the world. Ever able bodied country has helped support the people in Iraq with care packages and donations above and beyond what was expected of them. Now food, water and other essentials are provided to the people of Iraq that need them, where as before they would have never received such care and been left to fend for themselves.

Overall Iraq is better off now then it was a few years. I will not make the argument that it was right or wrong to invade Iraq, or if we should still be there or not, it's not my call. I just wanted to point out the good that has been done in the country and to show everyone that it's not all bad. Yes, we have been in Iraq for a long time, but the overall effect we have had on that nation, has been positive. The people of Iraq lead better lives now then at any other point in their history. A murderous dictator is gone, the school system is functioning, hospitals are for the first time receiving necessary supplies and freedom is a part of these people lives.

You can be for the war or against it, but you cannot deny the good our men and women in the armed forces have done in Iraq. They have given the people in Iraq something they had been missing for a long time, and that something is hope.