"CNN: Price of Iraq war 10 times pre-war predictions"

[Prada]

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/CNN_Pr...r_10_1102.html

When President Bush's emergency supplemental funding request is granted by Congress in the coming weeks, the cost of the Iraq War will reach ten times its original projected cost of $50-60 billion, CNN reports.

At what will soon be a total tab of $576 billion, the Iraq war is second in cost only to World War II. According to CNN's report, every minute troops are deployed in Iraq, the American public pays $200,000 to keep them there. Since the money is not allocated by Congress as part of the regular budget, there is little oversight of how it is spent and Billions of dollars remain unaccounted for in Iraq as the costs continue to mount.

"There's even funding that the Congressional Research Service and the Congressional Budget Office identify that they don't have any idea where the funding went," Says Travis Sharp of the Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Center. "They don't know if it went for weapons systems, they don't know if it was operating costs in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Additionally, the current conflict is the first in American history not to be paid for in real time. President Roosevelt raised funds for the Second World War by selling war bonds and Americans paid higher taxes throughout the Vietnam era. The Bush administration, however, is well known for its propensity to cut taxes and increase spending.

"Americans have not paid higher taxes to pay for this war, in fact we've had a tax cut, nor have we seen a reduction in domestic spending" Says Robert Hormats of Goldman Sachs, author of The Price of Liberty, a new book examining the history of American military funding. "We've in effected shifted the cost of this war to future generations."

Though 65% of the American public now opposes United States involvement in Iraq according to CNN's poll, Congress still shows no signs of significantly reducing its military or domestic spending and President Bush has stated time and again his opposition to raising taxes.

[RA]

Raising taxes would just slow the economy and you can thank the democrats for not letting any domestic spending get reduced.

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/CNN_Pr...r_10_1102.html

When President Bush's emergency supplemental funding request is granted by Congress in the coming weeks, the cost of the Iraq War will reach ten times its original projected cost of $50-60 billion, CNN reports.

At what will soon be a total tab of $576 billion, the Iraq war is second in cost only to World War II. According to CNN's report, every minute troops are deployed in Iraq, the American public pays $200,000 to keep them there. Since the money is not allocated by Congress as part of the regular budget, there is little oversight of how it is spent and Billions of dollars remain unaccounted for in Iraq as the costs continue to mount.

"There's even funding that the Congressional Research Service and the Congressional Budget Office identify that they don't have any idea where the funding went," Says Travis Sharp of the Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Center. "They don't know if it went for weapons systems, they don't know if it was operating costs in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Additionally, the current conflict is the first in American history not to be paid for in real time. President Roosevelt raised funds for the Second World War by selling war bonds and Americans paid higher taxes throughout the Vietnam era. The Bush administration, however, is well known for its propensity to cut taxes and increase spending.

"Americans have not paid higher taxes to pay for this war, in fact we've had a tax cut, nor have we seen a reduction in domestic spending" Says Robert Hormats of Goldman Sachs, author of The Price of Liberty, a new book examining the history of American military funding. "We've in effected shifted the cost of this war to future generations."

Though 65% of the American public now opposes United States involvement in Iraq according to CNN's poll, Congress still shows no signs of significantly reducing its military or domestic spending and President Bush has stated time and again his opposition to raising taxes.

[IronReload04]

i cannot wait for this ****en idiot to get out of office.......every day that goes by makes me cringe knowing he is still our president

[RA]

If you think Hillary would do a better job just wait....wait until she gets the govt running healthcare, then were all fkd

i cannot wait for this ****en idiot to get out of office.......every day that goes by makes me cringe knowing he is still our president

[Red Ketchup]

If you think Hillary would do a better job just wait....wait until she gets the govt running healthcare, then were all fkd

So you don't think that 576 BILLION dollars would have been better spent on healthcare for your fellow Americans instead of lining the pockets of corrupt war contractors and suppliers?

Red

[Tock]

Raising taxes would just slow the economy and you can thank the democrats for not letting any domestic spending get reduced.

Borrowing this money from foreigners instead of paying this debt will only further depress the value of the Dollar on world markets, thus raising the price of imported stuff (like oil, Japanese cars, bikes, etc), and it will raise the interest rates charged to borrow this money. It will also give foreigners lots more control over American economic and foreign policy.

Ya, sure, raising US taxes to pay for all this will slow down the economy for sure. But the price has got to be paid sooner or later, and it will be paid sooner or later, one way or another. My guess is that you won't like it when that happens . . .

[Tock]

So you don't think that 576 BILLION dollars would have been better spent on healthcare for your fellow Americans instead of lining the pockets of corrupt war contractors and suppliers?

Red

I've heard that the final cost for everything from this war will be more like $2.4 Trillion.

[BgMc31]

If you think Hillary would do a better job just wait....wait until she gets the govt running healthcare, then were all fkd

I think I'd rather spend 500+ billion on healthcare than an unjustified war!

[Prada]

If you think Hillary would do a better job just wait....wait until she gets the govt running healthcare, then were all fkd

What does this have to do with Hilary or the Dems?

Any CEO whose expenses spiral out of control and underestimates expenses and liabilities.....well they are liable and are kicked to the curb.

[Amorphic]

Too bad ron paul wont get elected, he seems to be the only one that would want to change the way things are going right now.

politics are scandal.

[IronReload04]

If you think Hillary would do a better job just wait....wait until she gets the govt running healthcare, then were all fkd

maybe, maybe so, maybe no

all i know, is that when bill was in office....people were happy, people were making money, the 90's was a good time


my folks predicted that bush would be running this country to the ground....

[RA]

The article tries to blame him for not cutting spending...that is 100% democrats..just like under Reagan.

What does this have to do with Hilary or the Dems?

Any CEO whose expenses spiral out of control and underestimates expenses and liabilities.....well they are liable and are kicked to the curb.

[RA]

Whos corrupt? There are only a handful of companies that do that type of work.

So you don't think that 576 BILLION dollars would have been better spent on healthcare for your fellow Americans instead of lining the pockets of corrupt war contractors and suppliers?

Red

[RA]

Your not making any sense. Its been proven time and again that when you lower taxes it makes the economy go and MORE money comes into the treasury not less.

Borrowing this money from foreigners instead of paying this debt will only further depress the value of the Dollar on world markets, thus raising the price of imported stuff (like oil, Japanese cars, bikes, etc), and it will raise the interest rates charged to borrow this money. It will also give foreigners lots more control over American economic and foreign policy.

Ya, sure, raising US taxes to pay for all this will slow down the economy for sure. But the price has got to be paid sooner or later, and it will be paid sooner or later, one way or another. My guess is that you won't like it when that happens . . .

[RA]

You think there is a nurse shortage now, wait until you have a govt run hospital....no one will do it. Pay cuts and equipment in disrepair, dont say I didnt warn you.

btw, at some point the war will be over but if you accept govt healthcare it will be there FOREVER.

I think I'd rather spend 500+ billion on healthcare than an unjustified war!

[eliteforce]

hello? 1 post, multiple quotes-easier..

considering the dollar is weakening at an alarming rate against euro,yen,can$,aus$, inflation is going up (forget about 'core' inflation, inflation is inflation) and alot of developing countries are artificialy keeping their currencies in check to the US dollar-a practice surly to correct over time..i'd say realistically it's more like 30X what they originally thought..devaluing dollar and 10billion$s a month on this war means that the govt is basically printing money to pay for it..

Are Americans really willing to get much poorer for this endless occupation? ANd thats what it comes down to, the Iraq war making all Americans poorer..

[Tock]

Your not making any sense. Its been proven time and again that when you lower taxes it makes the economy go and MORE money comes into the treasury not less.

Ya, to the tune of over $9 Trillion of US debt.
http://zfacts.com/p/461.html

We can't just keep borrowing money from foreigners, sooner or later (and it looks like sooner) they're gonna find better places to put their extra cash than in US debt securities.

[RA]

Its basically none of your f*cking business how I post.

hello? 1 post, multiple quotes-easier..

considering the dollar is weakening at an alarming rate against euro,yen,can$,aus$, inflation is going up (forget about 'core' inflation, inflation is inflation) and alot of developing countries are artificialy keeping their currencies in check to the US dollar-a practice surly to correct over time..i'd say realistically it's more like 30X what they originally thought..devaluing dollar and 10billion$s a month on this war means that the govt is basically printing money to pay for it..

Are Americans really willing to get much poorer for this endless occupation? ANd thats what it comes down to, the Iraq war making all Americans poorer..

[Prada]

Ya, to the tune of over $9 Trillion of US debt.
http://zfacts.com/p/461.html

We can't just keep borrowing money from foreigners, sooner or later (and it looks like sooner) they're gonna find better places to put their extra cash than in US debt securities.

It has already long commenced.

[eliteforce]

Oh well well..it's none of my business..gee i guess I'm really being 'nosy' .. just when you post like that your force everyone to scroll down and down and push the thread into multiple pages just so we can read your pointless 1 lined comments..like this one instead of posting a rebut to what I just said.

Its basically none of your f*cking business how I post.

[BgMc31]

You think there is a nurse shortage now, wait until you have a govt run hospital....no one will do it. Pay cuts and equipment in disrepair, dont say I didnt warn you.

btw, at some point the war will be over but if you accept govt healthcare it will be there FOREVER.

With so many uninsured people in this country and people too afraid to go to the hospital until it's too late, I don't understand why so many people are against so form of socialized medical care. If people are allowed to choose between private care provided to them by employer or bought by themselves because they can afford it or government subsidized healthcare for those who can't, what's the problem? People need healthcare, plain and simple, people who oppose healthcare for all, IMO, are showing themselves to be pretty elitist. It seems that they are saying that you are only entitled to healthcare if you can afford it. Am I missing something?

[BgMc31]

The article tries to blame him for not cutting spending...that is 100% democrats..just like under Reagan.

How is Bush's out of control spending the dems fault? The Republicans have controlled congress and spending since Clinton's second term. Or did we forget that? It's Bush's fault that the government spending is out of control and expanding the deficit.

[Amorphic]

Oh well well..it's none of my business..gee i guess I'm really being 'nosy' .. just when you post like that your force everyone to scroll down and down and push the thread into multiple pages just so we can read your pointless 1 lined comments..like this one instead of posting a rebut to what I just said.

yeah we are all very annoyed having to scroll down a bit further, come on man.

[BgMc31]

Your not making any sense. Its been proven time and again that when you lower taxes it makes the economy go and MORE money comes into the treasury not less.

So how come the deficit is currently growing and the government has had to take money for SSI to pay for things? Bush's tax cuts and rebates hasn't helped much IMO.

Look, I seriously don't understand why people are so opposed to higher taxes. Granted there is always beauracracy and corruption, but I wouldn't have no problem paying more taxes if the money went to where it belongs, like better education, health care, etc. Complaining about higher taxes while our education system is shot to shambles, millions of people w/o healthcare, and a growing gap between the haves and the have nots is again sounding very elitist, IMO.

[Prada]

So how come the deficit is currently growing and the government has had to take money for SSI to pay for things? Bush's tax cuts and rebates hasn't helped much IMO.

Look, I seriously don't understand why people are so opposed to higher taxes. Granted there is always beauracracy and corruption, but I wouldn't have no problem paying more taxes if the money went to where it belongs, like better education, health care, etc. Complaining about higher taxes while our education system is shot to shambles, millions of people w/o healthcare, and a growing gap between the haves and the have nots is again sounding very elitist, IMO.

I think people are more concerned about government spending rather then high taxes. Are higher taxes justified while the government fights this war in Iraq? I sure wouldn't support it. It's money that could be spent on social issue here whether it be health care, education or at the very least tackling terrorism more efficiently.

[eliteforce]

The current administration request for Iraq (and just a few months ago a few hundred billions was approved, and now that money is almost depleted)..so now they just need $200,000,000,000 ..... / 300,000,000 .. so thats about $670 for every man,woman, and child in America! and thats just 1 'emergency funding bill'

[RA]

If you dont like it, put my posts on ignore....like Im thinking of doing with yours.

Oh well well..it's none of my business..gee i guess I'm really being 'nosy' .. just when you post like that your force everyone to scroll down and down and push the thread into multiple pages just so we can read your pointless 1 lined comments..like this one instead of posting a rebut to what I just said.

[RA]

The thing you dont understand is govt run healthcare is like communism. It doesnt improve anything it just drags healthcare down to the same level for everyone...that is toilet level. No one is denied going to the er and there is medicaid already.

Like I pointed out there is a nursing shortage and your not going to give anyone incentives to go into nursing with low paying govt run hospitals. Its not elitist its fact, and living in Northern MI, Ive seen thousands of Canadians come here for treatment. Why would they come here if govt healthcare was so good?

With so many uninsured people in this country and people too afraid to go to the hospital until it's too late, I don't understand why so many people are against so form of socialized medical care. If people are allowed to choose between private care provided to them by employer or bought by themselves because they can afford it or government subsidized healthcare for those who can't, what's the problem? People need healthcare, plain and simple, people who oppose healthcare for all, IMO, are showing themselves to be pretty elitist. It seems that they are saying that you are only entitled to healthcare if you can afford it. Am I missing something?

[RA]

Anytime Bush pushes for cuts the dems block him. What you say is right that the congress WAS republican controlled but that doesnt mean the opposing party cant block basically anything you do.

btw, do you still think its rep controlled? i.e. Nancy Pelosi?

How is Bush's out of control spending the dems fault? The Republicans have controlled congress and spending since Clinton's second term. Or did we forget that? It's Bush's fault that the government spending is out of control and expanding the deficit.

[RA]

Have you learned nothing from Alan Greenspan? He was always against raising taxes. ITS NOT GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY. He also said we need to bring spending into line. The healthcare in this country is way better than the Democrats keep saying. Who is crying for it? Its also been proven that throwing more money at education doesnt make it better. Now we have a dept of education with a huge budget, has it made one difference. NO WAY.

As long as the teachers unions can keep bad teachers then we will never be able to improve education in this country.

You really want 50% income and 30% sales taxes like Canada? No thanks.

So how come the deficit is currently growing and the government has had to take money for SSI to pay for things? Bush's tax cuts and rebates hasn't helped much IMO.

Look, I seriously don't understand why people are so opposed to higher taxes. Granted there is always beauracracy and corruption, but I wouldn't have no problem paying more taxes if the money went to where it belongs, like better education, health care, etc. Complaining about higher taxes while our education system is shot to shambles, millions of people w/o healthcare, and a growing gap between the haves and the have nots is again sounding very elitist, IMO.

[Red Ketchup]

You really want 50% income and 30% sales taxes like Canada? No thanks.

Well, at the rate your government is throwing money away at stuff like iraq, you'll get those taxation levels anyways as the US will have to pay it's debts eventually, and you will get NOTHING in return... no healtcare, no education.

But I guess thats better than spending that money on Americans for evil health care or educating the masses.

By the way it's around 35% income and 14% sales taxes. (yeah it's still too much...)

Red

[RA]

Yeah, I guess the 50 I was talking about was a Canadian Dr. that moved here. He said he got out because Canada was taking 1/2 his paycheck every two weeks. Must be higher % for the high earners.

Well, at the rate your government is throwing money away at stuff like iraq, you'll get those taxation levels anyways as the US will have to pay it's debts eventually, and you will get NOTHING in return... no healtcare, no education.

But I guess thats better than spending that money on Americans for evil health care or educating the masses.

By the way it's around 35% income and 14% sales taxes. (yeah it's still too much...)

Red

[Kratos]

a weaker dollar can also be good news for many industries in this country. Ever think it might be the trade deficit mostly that is making the dollar slide?

[eliteforce]

That's true there are actually industries that export and will benefit with a weaker dollar..but most of the stuff that American consumers buy are manufactured abroad, cloathing, houseware items, electronics..these things are made in Asia, etc. those countries have been keeping their currencies weaker aganst the dollar buy buying up american tbills and increasing their dollar reserves, but their currencies have appreciated anyways and there is more to come-that will mean inflation! the US keeps borrowing too much and the fed govt is spending to much particularly on the war..

the end result is higher prices on food, gas, rent, consumer items; and stagnating wages for working class, or a generally poorer middleclass..

so imo the weak dollar, especially one this weak is going to be bad for america, not good or a break even type thing.

[BgMc31]

The thing you dont understand is govt run healthcare is like communism. It doesnt improve anything it just drags healthcare down to the same level for everyone...that is toilet level. No one is denied going to the er and there is medicaid already.

Like I pointed out there is a nursing shortage and your not going to give anyone incentives to go into nursing with low paying govt run hospitals. Its not elitist its fact, and living in Northern MI, Ive seen thousands of Canadians come here for treatment. Why would they come here if govt healthcare was so good?

C'mon dude, how does the richest country in the world rank mediocre in terms of healthcare across the board. It's not democratic propaganda, it's the truth. No one is advocating government run healthcare. You're suggesting that the dems are wanting to eliminate the insurance business and run have the government run everything. That isn't what they are suggesting, they are suggesting that the governement offer healthcare for those who can't afford private insurance or their companies don't provide it. Medicaid is only for those living below or close to the poverty line, medicaid denies coverage to those lower and middle income people who make to much to get medicaid but not enough to pay for private healthcare. What you are saying is more republican propaganda.

[BgMc31]

Anytime Bush pushes for cuts the dems block him. What you say is right that the congress WAS republican controlled but that doesnt mean the opposing party cant block basically anything you do.

btw, do you still think its rep controlled? i.e. Nancy Pelosi?

Bush has been cutting taxes for over 6 yrs. The dems just took power recently. The Dems didn't have enough votes until recently to overide any republican proposed bills. Bush went unchecked for the majority of his presidency.