Bush ponders £10bn New Deal to create jobs in Iraq

[Moloch]

THE White House is expected to announce a reconstruction package for Iraq as part of a plan for a “surge” of up to 30,000 troops into Baghdad when President George W Bush unveils America’s new strategy next month.

Bush is being urged to give up to $10 billion (£5.1 billion) to Iraq as part of a “New Deal” that would create work for unemployed Iraqis, following the model of President Franklin D Roosevelt during the 1930s depression.

At the Pentagon, the joint chiefs of staff are insisting on reconstruction funds as part of a package of political and economic measures to accompany the armed forces. They fear the extra troops will be wasted and more lives lost if Bush relies purely on the military to pacify Iraq, according to sources close to General Peter Schoomaker, the army chief of staff.

Military commanders have come round to the idea that an increase of troops is likely to form the backbone of Bush’s new strategy on Iraq. “People are warming to the idea that some sort of surge is necessary,” said a military official.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2517659,00.html

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

1. The plan is...........keep throwing people and money at Iraq. A much quicker read that the ISG

report. MKJ

[buddysmellgood]

2. Stay the course. Halliburton isn't full yet.

[VegasWolf]

3. Money to be distributed at the discretion of Cheney/Halliburton. nt

[Deja Q]

4. Well, he's right.

Jobs with proper pay and show respect for the workers would improve morale and support no end in Iraq and violence would be reduced, we can only hope.

Which was one of the concepts behind America's "new deal", as I understand it to be (correct me if I am wrong.)

But how to tell these people to calm down and to stop killing each other at the drop of a pin in order to get the message through is another issue entirely.


Again, nation-building by tearing down one's own nation in the process is not logical. At what point do we go back to tending our own again, sorry to sound selfish?

[enid602]

6. diverstion

10 billion pounds = $20B. It's just a diversion, though, like all the billions he promised to fight AIDS in Africa, or the billions to leave no child left behind.

[lumpy]

28. The only blood being spilled when FDR's New Deal

was put into effect was from greedy wall streeters jumping out of 10 story buildings. The US was not a bloodly worn-torn country completely in shambles. This is the wackiest plan Bushco has come up with yet.

[HeeBGBz]

5. How about $10 billion for some jobs here?

Or a little health care?

FKN thieves.

[Delphinus]

12. That's just what I was going to post!

We need jobs here.

[mia]

17. It was my first thought too. n/t

[BluePatriot]

34. My thoughts exactly (nt)

[eagler]

25. Perhaps he should be the Iraqi president?

nt

[lumpy]

29. Bush is the absent minded dictator he always

wanted to be. Bushco is calling the shots and missing the target, ss usual. Footloose and fancy free.

[saigon68]

32. Yes, old people must choose between eating or prescriptions

The DISGUSTING War Criminal Chimpanzee

[OHdem10]

7. Did they ever find that 9 Billion they "lost"

in Iraq??

Please remind them FDR was spending NEW DEAL Money here
at home.

Was it Marshall in Truman ADM that helped rebuild Europe???

I am sorry He aint no FDR .

When Republicans stop being so stingy here at home, ie,
Katrina for example it might be easier to ask Americans
to support them.

Use the Taxcut he is giving the rich for a downpayment.

[lovuian]

11. Bingo

Its a nice plan that would work in America as well as Iraq

[Imagevision]

21. Recover 9 Billion they "lost"? - Rumsfeld picked it up on his last good-bye session leaving Iraq

[PerceptionManagement]

8. Bush Ponders = Deep Thoughs by Jack Handey.

[rodeodance]

9. damm now he thinks he is FDR!!

[Imagevision]

22. FDR. and Bush: They both knew of impending attacks

[Contrite]

10. Er, uh, excuse me?

The New Deal created jobs HERE.

[Vinca]

13. I'm sorry, but I look at the oil rich countries in the region and wonder

why they aren't chipping in for their neighbors. Why isn't Iraq's oil paying for some of this? I realize King George created this freaking mess and we're on the hook, but there's a point where we have to scream "ENOUGH!" Our country is the last priority for this administration. We need health care, jobs, infrastructure, education, New Orleans, etc. ENOUGH!!!

[truth2power]

14. "Bush ponders..."

Bwahahahahaha! :rofl:

It's always good for a laugh - these articles that tell us Bush is actually using any thought processes.

[MasonJar]

15. Give the Iraqis jobs rebuilding the country and get out.

[magellan]

16. NOT ANOTHER DIME!!

F*ck Bush**, he can ask his banking friends for a loan in his own name!! Maybe then he'd ensure the money was spent properly for once!!

[Out_of_Iraq_ NOW]

18. Powerful Antiwar Holiday Video

Happy Christmas - War is Over if you want it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDm6RNQ5e-0

[aaronbees]

19. Meanwhile, in New Orleans...

No "New Deal" there to help the people come back to their homes and have a livelihood.

[MichiganVote]

20. Meanwhile Michigan hemmorages jobs/plant closings

But we should be happy for the Iraqi's right?

[oldpolicy]

23. He'll probably add those numbers to the jobs he created overall

[SayWhatYo]

37. lol

[citizen snips]

24. I bet the money will not get to the workers.

[bearfan454]

26. Fuck That Shit !

" A “New Deal” that would create work for unemployed Iraqis" ?????

How about creating jobs for the people of the USA ? How's that for a new concept ? Helping poor people is a mortal sin to these asshole idiots in charge.

[leftyladyfrommo]

33. My sentiments exactly.

I couldn't believe it when I saw that.

[lumpy]

27. How insane. Creating jobs while blood runs rampant

in Iraqi streets, the populace living in constant fear, hospitals overburdened by wounded Iraqis,Unsettled Iraqi leadership as well as civic infrastructure destroyed. New Deal? New money down the drain (or poured into deep pockets or black market enterprise) Finest example yet of putting the cart before the horse. Ridiculous!

[zann725]

30. How 'bout "New Deal" funding for jobs for U.S. unemployed?

No...'course not. Caring "at home" echos too much of F.D.R. And we know what Chimpy thinks of F.D.R.

[Bandit]

31. Why is he just now after four years planning on doing this?

Why was this not a part of the reconstruction from the very beginning? Kerry called for exactly this during the '04 campaign....

[Zech Marquis]

35. why not make a New Deal over HERE?

If * wants to rule Iraq so fucking bad, just pack his ass on the next flight and airdrop him in Bagdad. And meanwhile, I want to see some of that money spent HERE on US, the American taxpayers. You know, on having some decent highways and schools :grr:

[SayWhatYo]

36. That might work....

If the country wasn't in chaos... It's kind of a catch-22 though. You can't fix the problems because of the problems... Maybe if these guys actually had such a plan to begin with then there would be as big of a mess in Iraq now... I think it's too late to do any good in that country... Oh well, hopefully I am wrong, but I doubt it.