As of February 2008, we've spent over $495 billion in Iraq. With the economy in the tank, think about what that money could do here at home: Cover millions of kids who don't have insurance, investments in clean energy, or help folks who're losing their jobs and homes.

Instead, it's supporting a failed occupation in Iraq.

This is a direct connection between the billions we've spent over there and the crumbling economy here at home. In fact, a new AP poll shows that most Americans think ending the war is the best way to help the economy.

The ongoing occupation in Iraq is sucking up the resources we need to make our economy work again. The tradeoffs are stark: Bombs or unemployment insurance for people laid off as the economy slows? Billions for Halliburton and Blackwater, or help for people on the verge of losing their homes because of the subprime meltdown?

Gas prices are close to double what they were before the war began. The cost of oil is still hovering around $100 barrel. We're borrowing $343 million every day to finance the war in Iraq. Our skyrocketing debt will be a bigger and bigger drag on the economy—slowing recovery and burdening future generations.

The economic forecasts are going to continue to be grim as long as we continue to dump billions into a reckless war that has no end in sight. It's time to stop the madness. It's time to change the failed policies of the Repulican party. John McCain wants to continue down this path to economic ruin.