War effort -- or lack of effort?

by Nikki Tundel, Minnesota Public Radio

According to the popular saying, war is sacrifice. The war in Iraq asks U.S. troops and their families to make sacrifices both large and small. But just what are those on the homefront sacrificing?

St. Paul, Minn. — The U.S. government spent $8.5 billion dollars on the war in Iraq. And that was just during the month of July. Still, most Americans didn't feel much of a pinch.

Compared to previous wars, the current military conflict has little impact on the daily lives of United States citizens.

During World War II, Americans faced food shortages. They were allowed only enough gas to get them to and from work. And they were expected to turn in everything from tin cans to old tires to kitchen fat to help the war effort. Shoes were rationed, the production of new cars was stopped and the margins of books were narrowed to help conserve paper.

Reporter Nikki Tundel talks with DJ Mary Lucia about the ways Americans were affected by war in the past and what the term sacrifice means to people today.