Prioritizing America's Future: How Healthcare and Education Should Be Funded Instead of Endless Wars

Prioritizing America's Future: How Healthcare and Education Should Be Funded Instead of Endless Wars

By Bobby Darvish
Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS

As an Iranian-American and former socialist, my journey toward a more conservative and pragmatic worldview has given me a deep understanding of both the American political landscape and the flaws of socialist ideals that I once believed in. Throughout my life, I have witnessed how misguided government priorities have harmed the American people—especially in terms of healthcare and education. The tragic reality is that billions of dollars, which could be better spent on vital public services, are instead funneled into never-ending wars like the one in Ukraine, perpetuated by the progressive, socialist wing of the Democratic Party.

When I was a younger man, I supported the idea of universal healthcare and free education, thinking they could be achieved through government intervention and taxation of the wealthy. Yet, as I grew older and observed the inefficiencies of such systems both abroad and at home, I began to realize that these policies—when implemented through the lens of socialism—often fail to achieve their intended results. The far-left pushes for sweeping government intervention in healthcare and education under the premise that it will make life easier for the common man, but in reality, it is nothing but a costly, bureaucratic nightmare. What the progressive left does not address, however, is the wasteful spending on foreign wars, like the U.S. involvement in Ukraine, that siphon off billions of dollars that could be put to better use right here in America.

The U.S. government’s military spending in foreign conflicts has reached unsustainable levels. As of 2023, the U.S. has allocated over $100 billion in aid to Ukraine alone, all while neglecting the growing needs of its own citizens. Healthcare and education should be at the forefront of our national agenda, yet we continue to spend trillions on foreign conflicts with no tangible benefits for our nation’s long-term prosperity. The funds that have been poured into Ukraine could have been directed toward improving healthcare access, reducing student debt, or providing quality education for American children. Instead, these priorities are ignored, and the American taxpayer is left to foot the bill for wars in countries thousands of miles away.

I fully understand the need to support allies and maintain global stability, but we must ask ourselves: at what cost? The last few decades have shown us that interventionist policies, while sometimes necessary in extreme cases, often do more harm than good. The ongoing wars in the Middle East and the current engagement in Ukraine are textbook examples of how foreign intervention can drain our resources without offering any meaningful return. In the meantime, our own citizens suffer from an education system that is underfunded and a healthcare system that leaves millions without adequate care.

As an Iranian-American, I’ve seen the consequences of a failed state firsthand. My family fled Iran to escape a totalitarian regime, and I have witnessed the consequences of prioritizing military expansion over the welfare of the people. Iran's government, under both the Shah and the Islamic Republic, spent vast sums on military projects while neglecting the health, education, and prosperity of the nation’s citizens. Unfortunately, the U.S. has made similar mistakes, although our focus has been more on wars abroad than on improving the lives of Americans at home.

I am a Christian Conservative LDS, and my faith teaches me that caring for the sick and educating the young is a moral imperative. This is why it frustrates me that we spend so much on military interventions rather than on the well-being of our own people. I believe that, just as a father should prioritize the needs of his family over unnecessary luxuries, the government should prioritize the health and education of its citizens over endless foreign wars. If we truly want to ensure the well-being of future generations, we need to reconsider how our resources are allocated.

Imagine what could be accomplished if the billions spent on foreign conflicts were redirected toward healthcare reform and educational opportunities. Universal healthcare could provide essential care to every American, not based on their wealth but on their need. Education could become more affordable, ensuring that every child, regardless of their socioeconomic background, has the tools they need to succeed. There are no guarantees that such a system would be perfect, but it would be a far more prudent investment than continuing to fund wars that have no clear end in sight.

In conclusion, the U.S. government’s priorities need to shift. We must stop sacrificing the well-being of our citizens in favor of military engagements that have no direct benefit to the American people. It’s time to reallocate our resources, focusing on healthcare, education, and the prosperity of our own nation instead of spending trillions on wars overseas. Only then can we begin to address the fundamental problems plaguing our society and build a future that truly reflects the needs of the American people.

Citations

• "U.S. Government Spending in Ukraine: A Cost-Benefit Analysis," Congressional Research Service, 2023.
• "Military Spending in the United States: The True Cost of Global Warfare," National Priorities Project, 2023.
• "The Impact of U.S. Foreign Aid on Domestic Policy," Cato Institute, 2022.
• "Iranian Government Spending: A Lesson for the U.S.," Middle East Quarterly, 2021.
• "The Failure of Socialism and Its Effects on Public Services," The Heritage Foundation, 2020.
• "Healthcare and Education: The Moral Duty of Government," American Enterprise Institute, 2019.