Bush invaded Iraq for his own political gain (and the economic gain of his pals in the oil industry- and the security industries). While Bush was rewarding his political benefactors with billions in non-bid contracts, our sworn enemies who attacked us and vowed to attack us again were (are) regrouping and retraining in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Our sons and daughters were giving their lives fighting an unnecessary war and Iran was (is) taking full advantage of our disarray to gain more influence in the region.

I think the biggest reason Bush wants to stay there is because he has no idea how to exit and declare victory. So rather than cut his losses and be done with it, he throws more American lives into the fire so he doesn't look like a made a mistake. After all, we are winning if we're still fighting. If we pull out, then that means we've been defeated. So Bush remains in Iraq for his own ego and vanity.

I believe that a proxy war with Iran is a major, unspoken, reason our administration wants to stay in Iraq indefinitely.

The unintended consequences just keep rolling over us, and it looks as if they will never be spoken about honestly.