The soaring cost of war in Iraq

[struggle4progress]

By Ron Hutcheson
McClatchy Newspapers

~snip~ Congressional Democrats and Bush agree that they cannot let their dispute over a withdrawal timetable block the latest cash installment for Iraq. Once that political fight is resolved, Congress can focus on the president's request for $116 billion more for the war in the fiscal year that starts on Sept. 1.

The current spending request would push the total for Iraq to $564 billion, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. ~snip~

Before the war, administration officials confidently predicted that the conflict would cost about $50 billion. White House economic adviser Lawrence Lindsey lost his job after he offered a $200 billion estimate — a prediction that drew scorn from his administration colleagues. ~snip~

"It's worth it," Bush said last May, when the tab was in the $320 billion range. "I wouldn't have spent it if it wasn't worth it." ~snip~

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003689462_warcost02.html


Even more expensive than the last big Republican boondoggle known as the S&L crisis

[subterranean]

1. $564 billion, and what do we have to show for it?

Over 3,000 dead Americans, and tens of thousands wounded.
Hundreds of thousands of dead Iraqis.
A tarnished international reputation.
A sectarian civil war.
A practical training ground for terrorists.
Less electricity and oil production in Iraq than before the war.
Our military is stretched to the breaking point.
And the commanding general says things are likely to get even worse!

But hey, we took Saddam out, so I guess it was all worth it, huh?
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! :sarcasm: