War in Iraq to Cost $2.4 Trillion
Bill Wineke
The Congressional Budget Office predicts that if we stay in Iraq another 10 years -- and that seems like a good bet -- the wars there and in Afghanistan will cost us $2.4 trillion.
The question is: Even if we somehow "win" those wars, is that the best use of $2.4 trillion? Could we not somehow have invested that money in a way more profitable to our country's future?
President Bush just asked Congress for another $46 billion to pay for the war next year. That brings the total up to about $200 billion for the year. Is that the best way we could invest $200 billion?
This money is all borrowed. Our kids will be paying it back long after we're dead. Is that the best legacy we could leave our children?
The whole thing is totally out of hand and totally insane.
The only "good" news in this story is that deaths in Iraq seem to be declining. Of course, now we're thinking of bombing the Kurds.
This is all pretty unbelievable.
Replies
24
SWGB
That's the neo-con "we love our children more than anything, but saddle them with huge responsibilities prior to birth" republican way.
Beach Fanatic
That's the neo-con "we love our children more than anything, but saddle them with huge responsibilities prior to birth" republican way.
Incorrect
Beach Fanatic
War in Iraq to Cost $2.4 Trillion
Bill Wineke
The Congressional Budget Office predicts that if we stay in Iraq another 10 years -- and that seems like a good bet -- the wars there and in Afghanistan will cost us $2.4 trillion.
The question is: Even if we somehow "win" those wars, is that the best use of $2.4 trillion? Could we not somehow have invested that money in a way more profitable to our country's future?
President Bush just asked Congress for another $46 billion to pay for the war next year. That brings the total up to about $200 billion for the year. Is that the best way we could invest $200 billion?
This money is all borrowed. Our kids will be paying it back long after we're dead. Is that the best legacy we could leave our children?
The whole thing is totally out of hand and totally insane.
The only "good" news in this story is that deaths in Iraq seem to be declining. Of course, now we're thinking of bombing the Kurds.
This is all pretty unbelievable.
And the alternative?
Beach Fanatic
Here's the alternative
'Largest individual income tax increase in American history'
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/N...CQDJON200710242253DOWJONESDJONLINE001107.htm&
'Largest individual income tax increase in American history'
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/N...CQDJON200710242253DOWJONESDJONLINE001107.htm&
SoWal ExpertAuthor
Get us out of there ASAP (instead of in 10 years), stop picking fights in the Middle East (we just imposed more sanctions on Iran), make our allies pay more/contribute more troops, if we must rack up the debts, spend that money in America on Americans - rebuilding our infrastructure, taking care of our many domestic problems......
Beach Fanatic
Could not agree more Scooterbug
SoWal Expert
I find the total dollars spent on the "war" to be deceiving, since Congress recently earmarked a few billion of the "emergency war funding" for other non-military, non-war related spending projects. I guess that spending is a cost of the war because the democrats wouldn't vote for the emergency spending without getting their share, too. 
All this spending and donating money, and forgiving debt, on borrowed money... looks like our gov't is the perfect role model on spending what you don't have, and I think it ties right into the national problems of real estate and lending.
All this spending and donating money, and forgiving debt, on borrowed money... looks like our gov't is the perfect role model on spending what you don't have, and I think it ties right into the national problems of real estate and lending.
SoWal Insider
We will be dragged kicking and screaming into changing our ways.
Beach Fanatic
I find the total dollars spent on the "war" to be deceiving, since Congress recently earmarked a few billion of the "emergency war funding" for other non-military, non-war related spending projects. I guess that spending is a cost of the war because the democrats wouldn't vote for the emergency spending without getting their share, too.
All this spending and donating money, and forgiving debt, on borrowed money... looks like our gov't is the perfect role model on spending what you don't have, and I think it ties right into the national problems of real estate and lending.
When have they spent money correctly...
SoWal ExpertAuthor
They haven't, but the current administration is setting new standards in excessive spending & debt and NOT in a good way.
SoWal Expert
When have they spent money correctly...I guess the word, "correctly," depends on a person's perspective.
Beach Fanatic
I guess what I meant was what is the alternative to the war? Do we sit idly by and let them do as they please (Nuclear warheads, genocide, attacking our turf, etc)?
This whole mess is damned if you do and damned if you don't!
This whole mess is damned if you do and damned if you don't!
Beach Fanatic
I guess what I meant was what is the alternative to the war? Do we sit idly by and let them do as they please (Nuclear warheads, genocide, attacking our turf, etc)?
This whole mess is damned if you do and damned if you don't!
I'm not sure I understand what you're referring too..
SoWal Insider
I guess what I meant was what is the alternative to the war? Do we sit idly by and let them do as they please (Nuclear warheads, genocide, attacking our turf, etc)?No, the whole mess was started by GW. Iraq poses as much threat to us as Iran. You fight wars when you have no other choice, otherwise you end up wondering what the heck you were doing in the first place. It's what lower shelf folks do best.
This whole mess is damned if you do and damned if you don't!
SoWal ExpertAuthor
No, the whole mess was started by GW. Iraq poses as much threat to us as Iran. You fight wars when you have no other choice, otherwise you end up wondering what the heck you were doing in the first place. It's what lower shelf folks do best.
We're trying awfully hard to pick a fight with them too! I seriously think this administration won't be truly happy until they start WWIII!
"Nuclear warheads, genocide, attacking our turf, etc" - try again!
Iraq didn't attack us, genocide is far worse in other places, and there weren't any nukes.
There was/is a religious, cultural, and ethnic cluster f*** that has been going on for centuries. I don't know what the powers that be were thinking when they decided we could create peace between people who have been fighting since 632.
Beach Fanatic
Here's the alternative
'Largest individual income tax increase in American history'
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/N...CQDJON200710242253DOWJONESDJONLINE001107.htm&
No, here was the 'real' alternative:
Saddam Hussein 'wanted $1bn exile deal'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/27/wsaddam127.xml
The revelation is contained in a previously unpublished transcript of talks between President George W Bush and the then Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar in February 2003 at the US leader's Texas ranch.
According to a report by the Spanish daily El Pais, Mr Bush told his Spanish counterpart that the Iraqi dictator had made the offer to leave through the Egyptian government, but added: "We'll be in Baghdad by the end of March."
Beach Fanatic
No, the whole mess was started by GW. Iraq poses as much threat to us as Iran. You fight wars when you have no other choice, otherwise you end up wondering what the heck you were doing in the first place. It's what lower shelf folks do best.
Bob, didn't you vote for W...
SoWal Insider
Bob, didn't you vote for W...I am extremely fallible. I am partly responsible for this Get-It-On Revenge War. Kerry made me nauseous, and there were no other choices. We need more than 2 viable choices. The trio of three bad election cycle choices would be the hold-your-nose combo of Gulliani vs. Hillary. I find Romney the best available candidate now.
Beach Fanatic
I am extremely fallible. I am partly responsible for this Get-It-On Revenge War. Kerry made me nauseous, and there were no other choices. We need more than 2 viable choices. The trio of three bad election cycle choices would be the hold-your-nose combo of Gulliani vs. Hillary. I find Romney the best available candidate now.
Hilary vs Guilliani - have a headache just thinking about it but she still would be better suited than him. And yes, we desperately need more than 2 choices.
SoWal Insider
Hilary vs Guilliani - have a headache just thinking about it but she still would be better suited than him. And yes, we desperately need more than 2 choices.Obviously Hillary is the seemingly better choice. I think, in the end, that Gulliani will implode when a veritable Columbus day parade of skeletons comes out of the closet prior to the convention. I can always hope. I like Romney, as a person who can build consensus.
Beach Fanatic
I am extremely fallible. I am partly responsible for this Get-It-On Revenge War. Kerry made me nauseous, and there were no other choices. We need more than 2 viable choices. The trio of three bad election cycle choices would be the hold-your-nose combo of Gulliani vs. Hillary. I find Romney the best available candidate now.
Hey Bob, just a few points of information...
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Iraq_Vote_Response
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Iraq_Statement_1_10_07
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8SGCI6G0&show_article=1
Butttttttttt...
"No, the whole mess was started by GW. Iraq poses as much threat to us as Iran. You fight wars when you have no other choice, otherwise you end up wondering what the heck you were doing in the first place. It's what lower shelf folks do best."
Sorry, I can see that you are often times fallible...But since you came to Josh's rescue from Cap a few days ago, I forgive you...Red
Skunky
Hilary vs Guilliani - have a headache just thinking about it but she still would be better suited than him. And yes, we desperately need more than 2 choices.
Pant suited, you mean;-)
SoWal Insider
Hey Bob, just a few points of information...What? who? well then who are you hoping to step into the soup, and give things a try?
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Iraq_Vote_Response
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Iraq_Statement_1_10_07
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8SGCI6G0&show_article=1
Butttttttttt...
"No, the whole mess was started by GW. Iraq poses as much threat to us as Iran. You fight wars when you have no other choice, otherwise you end up wondering what the heck you were doing in the first place. It's what lower shelf folks do best."
Sorry, I can see that you are often times fallible...But since you came to Josh's rescue from Cap a few days ago, I forgive you...Red
SoWal Insider
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/16983679/mitt_romney_the_huckster Great read, and hit piece on Romney
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