I'm sorry Apache, obviously we weren't here on this message board at the time, so I can't prove this to you. But its not hindsight for ME, I was a huge outspoken critic of the plans to invade Iraq at the time, and it created quite the caustic work environment at the time, opposing it earned me the label of Taliban John, anti-American, un-patriotic, Muslim lover and more. I was right.
Having read - and admired - numerous posts of yours on this subject, I believe you.
To be honest, I came later to the party.
Back in 2003, I thought the salivation the GW Bush administration clearly had for invading Iraq was creepy...but I was more neutral on it otherwise.
But I am an investor, so I was caught up in the investment side of life...but by about '06 I finally began to realize (and lose all faith in) government's ability to do the right thing.
Ever since 9/11 I have seen one cowardly act after another by both administrations in the name of American security...Gitmo, Iraqi Freedom, rendition, propping up corrupt regimes, drone strikes, meddling in the Libyan civil war, NSA spying and so on - it's disgusting.
Mixed in with the incredible meddling of the Fed and one massive fiscal deficit after another...I now have ZERO faith in the U.S. federal government (or any other for that matter) and I assume whatever they do MUST be wrong until I have unbiased, factual evidence to the contrary.
I am not an anarchist...but the present system is NOT working and must be radically altered.
The masses must stop having all faith in their elected, federal officials if America is to turn around, IMO.
But I fear they will not until it is too late.