Bush Wants $50 Billion More for Iraq War

[swag]

Source: Washington Post

President Bush plans to ask Congress next month for up to $50 billion in additional funding for the war in Iraq, a White House official said yesterday, a move that appears to reflect increasing administration confidence that it can fend off congressional calls for a rapid drawdown of U.S. forces.

The request -- which would come on top of about $460 billion in the fiscal 2008 defense budget and $147 billion in a pending supplemental bill to fund the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq -- is expected to be announced after congressional hearings scheduled for mid-September featuring the two top U.S. officials in Iraq. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker will assess the state of the war and the effect of the new strategy the U.S. military has pursued this year.

The request is being prepared now in the belief that Congress will be unlikely to balk so soon after hearing the two officials argue that there are promising developments in Iraq but that they need more time to solidify the progress they have made, a congressional aide said.

Most of the additional funding in a revised supplemental bill would pay for the current counteroffensive in Iraq, which has expanded the U.S. force there by about 28,000 troops, to about 160,000. The cost of the buildup was not included in the proposed 2008 budget because Pentagon officials said they did not know how long the troop increase would last. The decision to seek about $50 billion more appears to reflect the view in the administration that the counteroffensive will last into the spring of 2008 and will not be shortened by Congress.


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/28/AR2007082801984.html

[Greeby]

1. And watch the Blue Dogs bow down to Herr Shrubler yet again

:puke:

[saigon68]

27. Yes the toothless congress will Air Freight the $$$$$ to Halliburton ASAP

[Supersedeas]

30. Oh, you can count on Blue Dog Dems -- promising 75B in a heartbeat

[saigon68]

41. Not to mention NEOCON Enablers like Joementum Limpmann

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

67. You can be sure they will -- and they've got blood on their hands too. nt.

[sanskritwarrior]

94. If the Blue dogs represent districts that

want Bush to get the money is that not "The will of the people" in those districts?

I can be against the war and still appreciate Blue dog democrats voting for their constituents beliefs.......So many DUers get so sanctimonous when the whole Democratic Congress does not march in lockstep. How pathetic is that kind of attitude, a very much "with us or against us" mindset and isn't that ironic........

[paulk]

95. it's a lot easier to blame the party as a whole

than to look at the electoral map and try to understand what exactly is going on - and hopefully come up with some ideas on how to change things.

it's unfortunate that the "let's throw the baby out with the bathwater" crew dominate this website.

[GeorgeGist]

2. Democrats ...

is your powder is dry?

[Javaman]

34. It's turned to dust and has blow away. nt

[KansDem]

87. Nah, it's no longer "dry"--it's soaked with blood and therefore unusable...(nt)

[rucognizant]

70. Uh........

Back in 1775, there were no Demacratic legislators, to do it. The Patriots did it FOR themselves...........

[cboy4]

3. Just when I think I can't possibly hate this man more.

He must think we just print the money up at Kinko's.

Time to say hell no Democrats.

[Demeter]

6. He does print money at Kinkos

They must have run out yesterday, though, since the stock market dropped 280 points.

[0007]

9. They'll print more to pump up the market .. Can't have junior

leaving office with a bad economy, can we? After all he did scrub down the Oval Office when he took over from Clinton.

[dipsydoodle]

4. One day

I hope the cost of the entire fiasco is broken down to show exactly how such an aggregate unholy amount of money was spent with analogies drawn against how it may have been better spent on healthcare etc.

[DrDan]

5. just more money to fund his Blackwater fighters

can't expand the surge, so send in some more civilian mercenaries

[Javaman]

35. And blackwaters new airforce! nt

[acmavm]

7. Well it looks like next month might be 'shit or get off the pot' time for the

dems. We'll see what they're made of, what their priorities are. Where their 'loyalties' lie.

[Warren Stupidity]

13. They are made of straw.

We know exactly how this is going to go. There will be a show of opposition to keep us from outright bolting the left branch of the War Party. Then there will be the Big Cave: surrounded by chants of Sport Da Troops, our party of no principles will add more bodies to the bonfire, voting Mr. 25% whatever he wants.

[Javaman]

36. Sorry but the shit or get off the pot time came and went when they

approved the wiretapping and extended the funding last time.

[acmavm]

75. Oh, I agree with you. But if they go along with this, I do believe that

it will be a sad day for the democratic party. A very sad day. Because this is the issue they were sent to Washington to deal with. A lot of people, even people here, swallowed their lame excuses for the last vote to give bush** money for the 'wars'. I do believe that this won't be acceptable to these same people this time around.

[Javaman]

77. if they give this to moron* many a dem is going to leave the party

including myself.

[Aviation Pro]

8. Here's the short and long answer....

....Motherfucker.

NO!

[HughBeaumont]

12. Right answer, right wording.

Now let's see if our newly elected blank check distributo . . . er . . . Congress . . . follows suit.

[izzie]

10. May sound bad but my guess is the Dem. will give it to him

Pays the Dem. to keep it going and they do not dare not to as they may be called un-am.

[Amonester]

28. Yep. Many of them don't care who dies for the 28% war criminals'

LIE$.

Others, like (next President) Dennis Kucinich will say no (like he always did).

[izzie]

38. I just do not see many Dem. really putting up a fight.

My guess is that they just find it easier to let it run to Bush gets out. Or maybe I am wrong and they do think it is getting better. So far I am not to un-happy with the Dem. Many have made some work to wards stopping the war and I guess that is all I can hope for. After all I was around with Vietnam and I know how long it takes.

[Amonester]

43. Many of Dem will vote Nay (Dennis and others), but the final count

will not be in their favor.

DU should start a list of Dem who are NOT COMPLICIT (for they don't deserve being included in a list of those who will vote Yay and who are COMPLICIT).

[izzie]

90. I am with you on that. Fact I think the voters for this was should

be run on the front page of every paper every day. Or the ones who voted no.

[graywarrior]

11. People in hell want ice water.

[MadHound]

14. And sad to say, the Democrats will give it to him

All the while throwing up their hands and saying that they can't do a damn thing to stop this illegal, immoral war. Of course they will be lying out their ass, there is plenty that they can do to stop the war. But hey, this is what happens when the same corporate masters control both parties.

[tridim]

51. Well no, all the pervert Republicans and a few blue dog Dems will give it to him

Big difference.

[MadHound]

62. Perhaps that's true, but it is still a travesty on the part of Congressional Dems

Especially since they have the numbers to defund this war, and bring the madness to an end.

[harun]

102. I wonder if we could get a few Senators to filibuster it

could probably count Feingold in on that. The rest of them will probably try and fund it really quickly as to bring as little news about it as possible. That is probably why Bush is airing it out there now, so it will hang for a while. Then he will easily prove how quick they will give in to his demands despite having the numbers to stop it.

[Vinca]

15. We've got money for war, none for the people. No healthcare for you.nt

[rodeodance]

16. Bush says Congress is overspending on Kids health, that is why he will veto.

[ProudDad]

80. Like a great cartoon in Funny Times

bush says as he vetoes "Kid Care": "If we give you health insurance now...then you'll expect health insurance when you grow up!"

www.funnytimes.com

[harun]

24. Social Security is going to run out of money, Medicare is

going to run out of money. We have no money for Health Care, which gets more expensive by the minute.

College costs are nearing unattainable heights for the lower and middle class. Foreclosures are increasing.

So what do we do to dig out of this hole? BARROW more money to spend in Iraq. BARROW because we don't have the money to be there. This sends the dollar even further down.

Nice system which the majority of congress happily abets and assists.

Moment of truth for the Dem's. People are not going to be content with Bush's stall policy dumping this mess on to the next Pres. Kill the funds now, all of them.

[ProudDad]

82. Just to make sure that the myths don't linger...

Social Security is NOT running out of money. It would take very little -- a decent raise of the cap for instance -- to insure its continuance well into the 22nd Century...

Medicare is WONDERFUL, Single-Payer Health Care -- it just needs a larger pool of folks to join it. This pool would be provided by the passage of HR676. Along with slight tinkering of funding mechanisms and it too would prosper well into the 22nd Century.

The bullshit myth that Social Security and Medicare are in "dire straights" is a right-wing myth designed to destroy any semblance of a "WE" society in favor of the conservatives' "ME" society.


The ENTIRE Iraq invasion and occupation has been financed on borrowed money -- money that will have to be paid back by your children, grand children and great-grandchildren.

We're getting currently fucked over in our taxes for the money to finance our current over-bloated, useless legions of the military and all of the previous military adventures since Lyndon Johnson left office.

[bigworld]

17. Bush Wants $50 Billion More for [s]Iraq War[/s] his cronies and contributors

... fixed it for ya.

edit: agh, darn strikeout tag doesn't work. :(

[Canuckistanian]

47. (tags don't work in the title box)

Only in the message area.

[Maggie_May]

18. We cant keep this up

our economy is dieing. We have people losing their homes for not just high interest rates but low paying jobs because they have lost there good paying ones. Bush will bail out wall street and throw money into Iraq but for his own people nothing. We have Katrina victims still living in trailers we have people with no health care we have people who cant feed their families and he wants to give 50 billion more to Iraq. The Dems need to stand us for the working class people now enough is enough. I wont even get into how this war was wrong in the first place. Its time to clean up this mess.

[Javaman]

40. can't keep this up? we are printing monopoly money in our fiat economy.

as long as the presses have ink and paper they can continue for as long as they want.

As for the economy, it's already in the toilet, it's just the media and bullshit that is fed the american public that keeps up the guise of "solvency".

I predict either major inflation very soon, or they will keep pumping in play money until moron* gone then the next poor bastard that is prez will have to deal with the coming depression.

Just like a repuke to leave a dem holding the bag, but then again our current "leaders" in congress aren't helping the case either.

Learn to grow your own food, you will be thankful for it.

[IsItJustMe]

86. When the sheep wake up in this country, it may very well be too late. As long as there is life

though, there is hope.

[Ganja Ninja]

19. OK lets ask the same question Republican's ask whenever ...

Democrats want money for social spending. "Who's going to pay for this spending?" Why is it that money spent in America on Americans is damaging to the economy but money thrown down a rat hole like Iraq isn't?

[ProudDad]

83. Because money spent for the right programs in the U.S.

benefits the masses.

Money borrowed and spent on war benefits the bankers, the war profiteers and the Ubber-Rich...

[Ezlivin]

20. It's worth it to be safe from terror

$50 billion is cheap! That means we can sleep at night safe from the terrorists who so hate us and wish to kill us all.

And after we spend this money we'll never have to spend any more. We'll all be safe and the world will be at peace.

The War on Terror is just like the War on Drugs. Once we've spent enough money, the problem is completely solved.

[HughBeaumont]

22. Except when it isn't.

Retired Vice Admiral John Scott Redd, head of the National Counterterrorism Center, says, "We have very strong indicators that Al Qaeda is planning to attack the West."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1686062

OK, so is it safe to say NOW that Bewsh really, REALLY isn't at all interested in "keeping us safe and sound"? We're spending HOW much a year on these clowns for them to NOT do their jobs?

[MissMillie]

21. tell him he can't have it

if he wants to pay for it out of personal funds, I'd be ok w/ that.

[whistle]

23. We all knew this was coming, in fact I thought he would ask for another $100 billion

[Javaman]

37. give it time. nt

[BadgerKid]

45. Typical business tactic

Push and push for more than you actually need. Make the other guy compromise.

[surfermaw]

25. How can he neglect America for Iraq

we have hungry people without jobs, health care and food, and needing a shelter over their head, what does the oil industry and Bush care...Oh well I guess Ike warned us about defense contractors and some Texas People , in his last speech before he left office.

[PianoBlack]

26. It's easy really. It's just his mindset.

He doesn't care about anyone else. He focuses on the rich who run the businesses, his own business and his friends in office.

Didn't you get the memo? Apparently that is what makes up the United States of America. They are a bunch of rich money grubbing businessmen. Those people are the people who's opinions matter. Everyone else doesn't mater..you know...about the other 90% of the country...those of us who need to pay for college, buy homes, living from paycheck to paycheck trying to make ends meet, stay out of the poor house, killing ourselves try try and make a better life without selling our souls for monetary gain. And the people who aren't even that lucky? Those who sleep on the street? Well...apparently they don't exist at all.

It makes me sick. Everything about this makes me sick.

[bdamomma]

32. * is an evil arrogant man, someone or WE THE PEOPLE

must challenge his ass, or will we wait until he takes everything away from us!!

[insanad]

29. What the money we're spending could be doing instead....

http://nationalpriorities.org/index.php?option=com_content&Itemid=207&id=319&task=view

The War In Iraq Costs SO FAR...

$456,172,238,408

Instead, we could have insured
273,157,028
children for one year.

Instead, we could have built
4,107,403
additional housing units.


Instead, we could have hired
7,905,524
additional public school teachers for one year.

Instead, we could have paid for
60,420,205
children to attend a year of Head Start.


Instead, we could have provided
22,114,244
students four-year scholarships at public universities.

SO FAR, and the counter is running with $4,100 for every American household;
$1,500 for every American;
$3,400 for every taxpayer;
$11 million per hour and;
$275 million per day.

Think what that amount of money could have done if we'd invested it in alternative energy sources. At $4,100 per household, we could have made solar, wind, or other natural and renewable sources of energy available to each home in America, making oil and coal nearly obsolete in the heating and cooling of our homes. If we'd spent that on our auto industries and created more fuel efficient, cleaner, or even electric transportation, think what that could do for our dependence on oil and the unstable countries we do business with.

I do sincerely hope that our nation will be able to hold George Bush and his cronies, and the companies he is in bed with accountable for this war and what it's cost all of us. I believe he should be held accountable for what has happened to Iraq, and on some part, the loss of lives of the Iraqi people. He is a war president as he always hoped, but he's also a war criminal and should be prosecuted as such. The money hurts now, but the loss of our military strength, the reputation and integrity of our nation, the loss of esteem of the nations of the world and so much more are the true legacy of George W. Bush. Death would be too good for this buffoon.

[Amonester]

39. And (a minimum of) 3733 young Americans would still be alive...

plus:
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Non Military Deaths:
Journalists Killed in Iraq
An Incomplete List of Contractors Killed in Iraq
Iraqi Body Count
(External Link)
US Wounded

would not be linked there because that war was based on lies and criminal catapults (bu$che/chainy/rumsferatu/wolfo/crystolfascist/bigOilMICceo$).

NOT ONE MORE CENT!

[bdamomma]

31. he can fuck off.

but will the Congress tell him the same thing.

[Javaman]

33. Watch as our "strong" dems who are in power now...roll over yet again.

Why did we elect them again? I keep forgetting?

:banghead:

[IsItJustMe]

88. and they don't even ask for Vasaline.

[flamin lib]

42. Write, call and email your congresscritter NOW. nt

[natrat]

44. and the vichy dems will fall over each other to approve $100 billion

[Wapsie B]

46. Dems will give it to him.

They'll put up some forceful-sounding rhetoric but then cave when the final vote comes. Why don't we de-fund both parties and start over?

The cover on this con game is blown.

[Roland99]

48. "NO MORE!" "NO MORE!" "NO MORE!"

[cheddar99]

49. On the bright side I hear

The Baghdad Convention Center is nice, when they can get electricity that is. Bwahaha!! We're friggin' doomed. He'll kill us all.

[sandyj999]

50. This Is Beyond Disgusting.

Two years later and New Orleans is still a mess. Bridges and the infrastructure are falling apart, but let's give Bushbaby more money. The sad thing is the "do nothing" Congress that many of us elected will give it to him and not even blink an eye. I am beyond angry and if I put it into words I would probably be banned from this board!

[HowHasItComeToThis]

52. WALL STREET NEEDS PROPING UP!!!!!!!!!

END THIS NIGHTMARE:wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf:

[Doc Martin]

53. Picket Line around George Bush

Appearing with George Bush gives him aid and comfort;
He listens to no one, prides himself for the resolve to fight his war.
So conversation with him will make no difference.
He said that God told him to strike out against Iraq.
Whose argument can counter what he mistakes as God’s voice?
Can Iran be far behind?
He has nothing left to lose.
Why bother to associate with him?

We, Americans, voted out a Congress that supported him.
Yet, a new Congress continues to give him money;
They support a war we don’t support.
They enable abuse of service members’ loyalty.
Yet those who lives are on the line have no choice
But to fight what is now just Mr. Bush’s fight.
They’d face a firing squad if they walked away.
They are even forbidden simply to speak out.
We put them face-to-face with death
And forbid them to question let alone object.


We have no choice but to call a general strike.
Put a picket line around George Bush.
Let the world know that he does not speak for us.
Those who cross the picket line and
Break the embargo against commerce with Bush
Will be letting us know where they strand.
As for the rest of us, we say:
Mr. Bush uses authority to circulate fear
If no one stands with him, legitimacy disappears

[frylock]

54. and he'll get his fifty billion..

no questions asked.

[paparush]

55. 2 Year Anniversary of Katrina, and this Criminal Dares to ask for $50B for W A R!

One day, the world will serve justice on this man, this government, and this country.

[IsItJustMe]

89. I think you are right, Karma is a bitch.

[John Q. Citizen]

56. Write your congress critter and ask them how much of that goes to the troops

and how much to the mercenaries?

They don't know, so they won't be able to tell you.

[rateyes]

57. This is where Pelosi's and Reid's leadership will

either be proven or disproven. Neither one of them have to let a funding bill come to the floor for a vote. And, if they feel the need to bring the funding bill, they don't have to allow one without a MANDATORY TIMETABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL.

I'm not holding my breath. My bet is that we will ONCE AGAIN be disappointed, and another blank check will be written. Pelosi should never have said "no more blank checks" unless she was ready to back it up. Reid said no appropriations bill until certain provisions get a vote. We'll see if they keep their word this time.

[paparush]

58. Pelosi's statement is kind of ironic twist on Bush 1's "Read my lips" nt

[rateyes]

60. That's true. nt

[JenniferJuniper]

59. If you are now saving for retirement

and are under 55, make sure you are not deferring taxes and are putting your money in a post-tax account like a Roth IRA. Tax rates will be going through the roof in a few years to pay for the Monkey King's Most Excellent Adventure.

[FormerDittoHead]

92. Here's another reason why that's such a good idea...

I don't think most people know that most of the money you make on the stock market is capital gains and dividends. THEY are taxed at LOWER RATES than ordinary income.

BUT THE MONEY YOU TAKE OUT OF YOUR 401K WILL BE TAXED AS ORDINARY INCOME...

http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/21/pf/expert/expert.moneymag/index.htm

"....If you hold them (high dividend / cap gain investments) in a tax-deferred account like a 401(k) or traditional deductible IRA, those dividends would be taxed at ordinary income rates that could be as high as 35 percent, since all gains withdrawn from 401(k)s and traditional IRAs are taxed as ordinary income."

[alllyingwhores]

61. TYPO: Headline should read...

"Pelosi and Reid Can't Approve $50 Billion More Fast Enough to Continue Funding of Disastrous War Based on Lies--Due to the Emperor's Commanding 25% Approval Rating!

Okay, it's kind of long--but you get the point.

[liberal N proud]

63. I would like to say it will be tough for him to get it this time but...

the way things work in this era?
He will probably walk away with 90 billion and assumed permission from Congress to bomb Iran.

I fear there is no hope of Congress stopping the bu$h regime from their quest to destroy America and control the Middle East Oil.

[jfkraus]

64. Nuclear Fusion

If we spent $400 billion perfecting nuclear fusion, we wouldn't need mideast oil.

[Gen. Jack D. Ripper]

65. THIS JUST IN: Bush requests $500 Guzillion-Budrillion for war funding!

Congressional democrats debate whether "Guzillion-Budrillion" is actually a number, are criticized for holding up troop funding, enemy emboldening, general tom-foolery, and baby deer mutilation. Congressional democrats therefore discontinue controversial debate and Fold like lawn chairs. Congressional democrats decide that peace is far too politically unpopular, but will consider continuing the pursuit should it become advantageous to do so.

[donkeyotay]

66. So the surge was an escalation and we don't have to wait for Petraeus?

Another bush f-up - $50 billion on top of his colossal $460 billion boondoggle. He needs $147B for walking around money, plus an "extra" 50 for the surge that's working, so he's asking for $197 BILLION to tide him over. Drunk frat boy has driven the country into a ditch. It's hard to bitch about the money with all the blood being shed, but I don't think our country as we knew it is going to survive bush.

[libodem]

68. This is so tiresome

especially since Cheney promised that the whole war and the reconstruction could be orchestrated on the oil revenues. And that it would be over in 5 or 6 days. And that the oil companies over there have had such outstanding profits. And....

[wordpix]

69. NO! End of subject. We must STOP this war criminal & his war machine

[killbotfactory]

71. Halliburton's looking for a handout

their obscene profits aren't obscene enough. some of them can still sleep at night, unaided by medication.

[Ganja Ninja]

72. I just finished reading the comments for this story at the on-line

Washington Post. I read 6 pages of comments out of 26. In all of those there was only one very meek half hearted pro-Bush comment. Congress needs to take a hint. If they want to improve their public approval rating they need to stand up to Bush and cut off funding for this war.

[Trillo]

73. Bush is like a heroin ADDICT.

Money is the drug. Just say NO congress!

[Tight_rope]

74. Bush is more like a crack head...desperate enough to do anything for more money

[Megahurtz]

76. NO NO NO NO NO!!!!

:bounce:This HAS to STOP!!!:bounce:

:grr:

[mvd]

78. Boy, I hope Congress doesn't get fooled by this fraud report coming up

If Bush got his way, the war would last until the army got down to nothing. He is a psychopath, and it's time to say no to his war obsession.

[stressfulreality]

79. shouldn't we be saving this money for the upcoming war with Iran? n/t

[superconnected]

81. Dear President Bush - GO FUCK YOURSELF. EOM

[sarcasmo]

84. HELL NO!!!!!

With no backbone in congress, it will happen.

[sarcasmo]

85. Hell NO!

[EMAN51]

91. Get your funding from your political donors

and replace the current troops with the chickenhawks who started this ill-conceived, immoral invasion. Not one more dime from the federal treasury and not one more drop of blood from an innocent.

[moondust]

93. Ask Wall Street for it.

After all, a big part of this fiasco is the Corporate Pretzeldent and Corporate Vice Pretzeldent abusing U.S. tax revenues to try to eventually open up new corporate profit centers in Iraq where the population will eventually have some oil money to spend on "American" goods made in China and elsewhere. A private war for private profits underwritten by public funding and blood.

Fuck him.

[Tight_rope]

96. HE CAN COME GET THE MONEY OUTTA MY SHITTY ASS!

[swag]

97. Fuck yeah! That's tellin' him!

[TexasBushwhacker]

98. If he wants to hand out more money to his cronies

why doesn't he just introduce an "Infrastructure Renewal" Bill. With the recent bridge collapse, I'm sure he'd get plenty of support, and hey, KBR can build bridges and buildings and railways, etc. Of course, they may not get no bid, cost plus contracts, but at least the money would be spent HERE.

[Jack Rabbit]

99. I have a word about that

NO!!

[Phrogman]

100. Who's money is this that they want so badly, is it ours? Did we pay it to the government...

for roads, schools, police and infrastructure?

Or did we just give it to the rich politicians to do with what they wish?

[JerseygirlCT]

101. Congress ought to treat him like we do a teenager -

you want more money? Go get a job.

[Booster]

103. Come on, Dems, you can do it. Take a deep breath and say NO.