I view it as a sign that this person is lazy.
Of course the social services are lacking too. But I dont think that is any new development at all.
I think the war in Iraq is monetarily an inconvenience only to those people who cannot digest the reasoning for it. It really isn't directly related to the matter of social services. Yeah some people will talk budget money spent here doesn't allow money to be used there. I don't think that is always true either. The US government has not shyed away from budget deficits in the past.
Think outside the box. If you had not spent the last few years at some liberal school in western Washington then it might help. Time to transfer?