Yes in fact they did argue that we could invade Iraq on the cheap and they argued that the oil revenues in Iraq would fund the recovery of Iraq. All of that was part of the cakewalk rhetoric.
I seriously doubt you are right that the enemy is concentrated in Iraq. Rather I would think that Iraq has actually empowered the enemy more than it has rid of us an enemy.
Now of course you resort once more to your fantacy that no one has offered you alternatives. Alternatives have been offered all along. You just don't want to hear them. Here is one for you right now. Get the British out of Basra, today.
Please advise why you do not support this alternative.