War could cost $1.6 trillion by 2009

Kizzume

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/13/hidden.war.costs/index.html

debateman · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 349 Location: New Mexico

Well... Social Security comes to mind. As does a HUGE nuclear stockpile (thanks Reagan).

jq · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1089

chuq · Joined: 04 Dec 2007 Posts: 135 Location: Gulf South

Repubs are demanding a retraction of the report.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Republican lawmakers on Wednesday demanded the retraction of a Democratic party report which warned that the costs of the Iraq and Afghan wars could reach 3.5 trillion dollars.

They warned the survey by Democratic staffers on Congress's Joint Economic Committee (JEC) was riddled with errors and should not be allowed to stand.

"In the rush to score political points, apparently no one bothered to fact check the report," said Senator Sam Brownback and Representative Jim Saxton, top Republicans on the committee, in a statement.

LINK

Kizzume · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 2:28 pm Post subject:

Here's a key quote from that article

jq · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1089

redstaterebel · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 128

Hey Kizz - nice site. Thanks for letting me join.

Anyway - this report was by a handful of democrats looking to make the news.

I'm wondering what is the point of this "estimate"?

Is the point to finally use their congressional budget authority to shut it down? OR - just to stir the pot for the upcoming election year.

Anyone know what their point is?

jq · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 1089

Kizzume · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 2:32 pm Post subject:

I'll also agree that the motivation for the numbers are partisan and sensationalist, and I also agree that we should still be concerned about the numbers that have already accrued.

But their point is a scare tactic. It seems to work well.

Kizzume · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 2:32 pm Post subject:

redstaterebel · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 128

JQ - $800b sounds right if you include Afghanistan. I read a lot about $8billion per month for Iraq - 5 years worth is roughly $500b - but however we slice it, its a ton of money.
This "estimate" includes some bullshit though - the cost per family of $100 barrel oil for example. Oil prices are NOT about Iraq, its about China.

As far as the money goes - hopefully the Iraqi gov't will get those oil revenues going to assist - but its never been about the money for me. IF - and this is a big IF - if the cause is worthwhile, morally or security wise, I wouldn't worry about how much it costs.

Kizz - I think this is a political mistake by the democrats. They are putting this "estimate" out there, and then they are going to approve more spending for Iraq. I really think they are giving the GoP a gift by sharing responsibility. Can they really make a major case out of this next year - after funding the war for 2 years?

Kizzume · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 2:33 pm Post subject:

No, they can't make ANY sort of major case out of it next year. Not any sort of case that can hold any water anyway.

redstaterebel · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 128

I agree with Kizz - the can't campaign on stopping the war - AGAIN.

Can't dip from that well again. I'm honestly astonished that the democrats would squander this issue for 08.

06 was the first significant congressional victory for the democrats since 94 - this issue would have ensured a white house win next time.

I really don't get it.

The only answer is that they indeed think that they can use the same campaign as last time - I think the electorate won't buy it again.

Kizzume · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 2:35 pm Post subject:

I agree completely. They need to focus on other issues, and I don't believe they will.

redstaterebel · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 128

If they are giving up on the war (my belief is that they never intended of stopping it) - how about an energy bill? A climate change bill? An education bill?

Something ...................................... this crop passed a modest minimum wage increase and have renamed like 50 federal buildings. WTF?