US Iraq war costs may rise by $406 billion by 2016

[sabra]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N13224205.htm

US Iraq war costs may rise by $406 billion by 2016

WASHINGTON, July 13 (Reuters) - The Iraq war could cost U.S. taxpayers between $202 billion and $406 billion more over the next 10 years, depending on how quickly U.S. force levels can be reduced, congressional budget experts said on Thursday.

The Congressional Budget Office offered two cost scenarios for the war, which it said so far has cost almost $300 billion.

If the number of U.S. troops in the Iraqi theater can be reduced to 140,000 next year from the current level of about 190,000 and all are withdrawn by the end of 2009, the CBO said military operations will cost another $166 billion in 2007-2016.

But if troop levels decline more slowly and remain at about 40,000 through 2016, the CBO said military operations will cost another $368 billion.

[arcane1]

1. 2009 is their LOW-BALL??????

:wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf:

the words "fuck this shit" come to mind immediately

[IndianaGreen]

9. How many dead by 2009? How many dead by 2016?

The Kerry-Feingold Iraq exit resolution must become the battlecry of every Democrat on Capitol Hill, not something that must be avoided at all costs as it was recently by the majority of Dems.

[brentspeak]

2. Halliburton, Bechtel, and all the other Bush cronies aren't complaining

Bush and Cheney were only too happy to open the vaults of the national treasury for their buddies. Nice scam the Republicans have going.

[cliss]

3. Trust me....we will not be there in 2016.

We are broke right now, as it is.

Trust me, we will NOT be shelling out $406 billion by then. Our creditors would have pulled the plug on us, long ago.

In fact, it's only because China keeps lending us money that we're continuing the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan.

Want a war? Charge it on your credit card.

[Amonester]

6. And now, since Walmart&Co don't sell as much of their scrap like

they used to caused by inflated gas prices, and increasing interest rates on loans, methinks China may soon run dry of US dollars...

[G2099]

4. Do Americans really care?

What can Americans do about it? To stop it? The answer . . .

[w4rma]

8. Start by never voting for a Republican at any level of government.

None of that, "My Repug is a good one" BS.

[grytpype]

5. That seems low.

If the war is costing $100 billion a year, as it has been, then how do we get away with only $166 billion for the next two years?

A billion here, a billion there, it starts to add up.

[rodeodance]

7. for what--why are we spending this money?--for what?

[arcane1]

10. to make rich men richer n/t

[lastknowngood]

11. Thats bullshit unless they mean only for that year. It's over 200 now

and the shrub has asked for another 110 billion for next year.