U.S. tab for war closes in on $300B

[leftchick]

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1106693414836&call_pageid=970599119419

WASHINGTON—U.S. President George W. Bush will ask Congress for another $80 billion for the war in Iraq, bringing the price tag for that invasion and ongoing operations in Afghanistan close to $300 billion, six times the original White House estimate.

The total is well beyond the estimate of $200 billion (U.S.) put forward by onetime White House economic adviser Larry Lindsey — subsequently dismissed for his forecast — and is the number Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld once derided as "baloney" on network television.

Bush's request, which Congress is expected to approve next month, came five days before Sunday's watershed Iraqi elections, amidst reports that at least 120,000 Americans will remain there through the end of next year.

The White House said $75 billion of the $80 billion will go directly to military operations in Iraq, raising this year's total to $105 billion for a war that was already costing $5 billion per month.

[saigon68]

1. Starving children, No Drugs for Seniors

A $50 Million ($50,000,000.00) Coronation for a CHIMPANZEE

Ya that sounds right.

[salin]

2. So much for Wolfies assertion that due to the oil under Iraq...

the war and rebuilding costs would pretty much be covered.

[cornermouse]

3. I'm tired of saying it, but its still true.

We can't afford Bush and we can't afford this "war".

And adding insult to injury, Bush apparently said that he's backing the troops by asking for the money, which we all know from experience will NOT be spent on the troops. We know it hasn't been spent on reconstruction either, so where IS all this money going?

[realFedUp]

6. I agree with you...we can't afford Bush or his war

Why no one on the Rethuglican side in Congress is
asking for an audit at the least or declaring
we really can't afford to "freedom" up our countries
of choice...is a mystery.

[MSgt213]

4. Wasn't it just October when the MSM said Kerry was stretching the truth

by claiming 200 billion had been spent. It was more like 175 billion. So we have spend another 125 billion in 3 months with no explanation from our diligent media.

[UL_Approved]

5. In the end, Kerry never lied

Kerry was/is right on all of the points he made during the campaign.

If Kerry ran again in 2008, and he showed some fortitude in resisting the Neo-Con onslaught, he could probably win.

Of course, if things get bad enough, he could win regardless... :scared: