Winograd: We can't afford to stay in Afghanistan

We all want to feel safe and secure, and know that our taxpayer dollars are not being wasted on perpetual wars that create new enemies. For these reasons, we must work for an exit strategy from Afghanistan and bring our troops home...

Some say we cannot afford to leave Afghanistan. In fact, my opponent argues we must eradicate corruption there because -- "... the United States has invested too many troops and too much treasure to fail." I say -- We cannot afford to stay in Afghanistan because we will bankrupt our country.

War and occupation breed corruption, so a policy of escalation in Afghanistan is at cross-purposes. If we really want to eradicate corruption in Afghanistan, then we should invest in humanitarian aid, not weapons that will kill innocent people and create more hatred toward us. Let us build schools, hospitals and houses -- not as an occupying power -- but as a global partner interested in shared prosperity and global stability.