Who's in Peacetime?

Senator John McCain is making the rounds these days. I saw him on Meet the Pres this weekend, and in a Fox News story. I was struck by his repeated reference to the "largest [deficit] in peacetime history".

Aren't we in two wars? Did Senator McCain forget that we have about 131,000 soldiers in Iraq and 68,000 in Afghanistan.

Our budget deficit is alarming, and needs to be addressed with a long-term strategy. We undoubtedly have a list of challenges (our current economic situation, long-term entitlements, crumbling infrastructure, a transitional energy economy) but without an honest conversation we won't be able to make considered decisions when we develop a strategy out of our current morass.

Misleading the public with inaccurate comparisons doesn't help find real solutions. Looks like the Straight Talk Express has taken another wrong turn.