When compared to World War II, the Iraq war has not affected the quality of life for the average American. Everyday working Americans go about daily life and routines with hardly a thought of what the American military is fighting to accomplish. The lofty dream of an American President spreading democracy throughout a hostile world is not on the minds of the American people. In other words, when life goes on without concerns for the military fighting to insure a just and majestic idea such as freedom, the quality of life concerns for those left behind to carry on, are not entertained.
The USA is the greatest country on the face of the earth. We are the most powerful and the most respected. We can fix any problem on earth and if we can't, we are willing die trying. We are the most generous country in the world and we give the most money to charities, both inside and outside our country. But even though all this is true, perhaps we are the most forgetful. Add to our forgetfulness our booming economy, and one has a recipe that dictates quality of life during this time of war is not a concern.
During WW II, the US economy was significantly stimulated by the war, even more so than in World War I. The depression was brought decisively to an end, and new industrial complexes were built all over the United States. The position of the United States as world leader was more obvious than ever. Certainly now, during the Iraq war, the US is not facing dire economic hardships as we did during WW II and so our quality of life is not affected, or altered as WW II caused.
Also, unlike now, during WW II vast technical progress was made. The English developed radar, which would be the prototype of television. Progress in electronics and computers made during the war provided a basis for further development that fundamentally transformed the postwar world. At this time, we are not affected by developments due to the effects of war in Iraq.
Sadly, perhaps the single most profound significance of World War II was the development of the atomic bomb. This discovery truly transformed the nature of potential future wars. We can only hope the atomic bomb is as powerful as man can get. And, we can hope that restraint is used when contemplating its use in the war zone.
Until Americans once again consider all the consequences of war, along with its victory or defeat, our quality of life during the Iraq war, or the Afghanistan War will not be affected. This is because we may have lost the understanding of what is important as a nation, which is defending our freedom. Hopefully, we won't forget the insightful truth, which states, without freedom there would be no quality of life.