Letter to the editor: Hardy remembers who pays for needless wars

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 04.09.26

In 1961, JFK inherited Eisenhower’s plan to overthrow Castro, which became the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion. Kennedy observed, “victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan.” Trump is learning that same lesson.

Rep. David Rouzer has long advocated attacking Iran. In Feb. 2024, Rouzer said “firing off a missile here or there” wouldn’t do. “I think it needs to be substantial in a way that Iran really feels,” he added.

That’s why Rouzer welcomed Trump’s Iran War, writing on Feb. 28, “I thank him for it.”

On March 2, Rouzer told constituents, “I am grateful” for Trump taking America to war.

Rouzer was still onboard in his March 9 Newsletter, once again writing, “I’m grateful we have a President” who launched a surprise attack in the middle of peace negotiations without consulting Congress, allies, or the American people.

But the war Rouzer wanted made oil prices soar over 50%. Gas topped $4/gallon. Inflation and mortgage rates rose, stock markets plummeted and hoped-for interest rate cuts vanished.

The Pentagon asked for over $200 billion for what Trump calls his “little excursion.” That’s more than the entire defense budget for every country in the world except the U.S. and China!

Americans hate this war. So, in his March 22 Newsletter, Rouzer completely ignored the war he always wanted. His constituents got radio silence on a war that has killed 13 Americans, left over 300 wounded, and cost $30 billion so far.

Rouzer is running from this war because he can’t run on it. Dr. Kimberly Hardy is the daughter of a Vietnam veteran. Unlike Rouzer, Hardy warned that, “A war with Iran would not be paid for by pundits or politicians. It would be paid for by working-class Americans. By the sons and daughters of families right here in our district.”

That’s us — the people Rouzer forgot. Remind him this November. Elect Kimberly Hardy representative.

Larry Widman

Leland