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Originally Posted by jviehe
I dont accept the 3 trillion dollar figure. The number specifically dealing with Iraq is closer to 500bil, which is bases on the sum of the appropriations bills that have been dedicated to Iraq and Afghanistan. Its too easy to claim other spending is related to Iraq, and likewise easy to dispute. But, in the same time we have spent 7.5 trillion on social programs. Perhaps if were to spend less on that we would have more to spend on the nations highest priority, national defense. Whether its 500billion, 3 trillion, or even 10 trillion, no cost is to much for my physical security. And yeah, for the most part we do need to have troops in all of those countries. Im not about to second guess the generals and presidents that have decided what is needed by our military to physically secure this country.
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On one side are economists, backed by those in the nonpartisan CBO and not surprisingly favored by the White House, who believe the war will cost $1.7 trillion through 2017.
On the other side are economists, led by Nobel laureate and Clinton administration adviser Joseph Stiglitz, who calculate that the real figure is more like $3 trillion and that in some scenarios it could be considerably more.
So how do they come up with the 3 trillion dollar figure?
Stiglitz, co-author with Harvard economist Linda Bilmes of "The Three Trillion Dollar Conflict: The True Cost of the Iraq War," says projections below $2 trillion are not taking into account a number of collateral issues. One cost, known as “resetting” the U.S. military, for instance, will take a decade at least to sort out — replacing the huge amount of equipment and talent worn out or lost in the fighting.
Cost of Iraq war hinges on oil question - Stocks & economy - MSNBC.com
So, 1.7 trillion, or 3 trillion, either way it is a sickening amount of money.
While some people are willing to do anything to feel safer, it isn't real, it is an illusion.
Most of the hijackers were Saudi, their leader was Saudi, half of the suicide bombers in Iraq are Saudi, yet it is claimed that Saudi Arabia is our ally. Yeah right.
Most experts believe that Osama, if he is still alive, is hiding in Pakistan, it is wlel known many new terrorists are being trained in Pakistan, yet Pakistan will not let us search for terrorists in their country. So, what do we do? Well of course we make Pakistan the recipient of the largest increase in foreign aid since 911 so we can make sure they are able to keep churning out more terrorists, so they can be used to scare pathetic, sniveling cowards into giving up more and more of their freedoms.
Sure is working well.