Your Share of the wars: $8K

[db44]

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/iraqi-afghan-wars-may-cost-24-trillion/20071024093009990001

(Oct. 24) -- The cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could total $2.4 trillion through the next decade, or nearly $8,000 per man, woman and child in the country, according to a Congressional Budget Office estimate scheduled for release today.

A previous CBO estimate put the wars' costs at more than $1.6 trillion. This one adds $705 billion in interest, taking into account that the conflicts are being funded with borrowed money.

The new estimate also includes President Bush's request Monday for another $46 billion in war funding, said Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C., budget committee chairman, who provided the CBO's new numbers to USA TODAY.

Assuming that Iraq accounts for about 80% of that total, the Iraq war would cost $1.9 trillion, including $564 million in interest, said Thomas Kahn, Spratt's staff director. The committee holds a hearing on war costs this morning.

"The number is so big, it boggles the mind," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel , D-Ill.

Sean Kevelighan, a spokesman for the White House budget office, said, "Congress should stop playing politics with our troops by trying to artificially inflate war funding levels." He declined to provide a White House estimate.

[SparkleHugs]

How about they stop the war and just give every man woman and child 8 grand? It could really help the American people way more effectively.

[ConnieB]

I'd rather fork my money over to defending our nation, then putting it towards a damn city pool or other "pork" money for liberal agendas. To me paying $24,000 is worth it because not only are we finally defending ourselves against terrorism (which Clinton never did), but we have helped a country build up and get rid of a horrible person. The liberals may want to ignore the facts, but al-qeada IS in Iraq and the surrounding countries, and how they expect us to ignore it is insane, but that is pretty typical of liberals. Yeah, fighting may be bad in spots, but it's not the whole country. As a matter of fact, the northern areas are built up and have no fighting in them, that is success on their part, which many of you say has not happened.

We had a soldier come into our government class at my college and he had pictures galore of what we've done over there and many stories to go with it. We have done so much for Iraq and all you guys can do is put our military down and say we have lost this "war". We have NOT lost it but that is what liberals want everyone to believe. By the way, this was his second deployment, and he's going to volunteer for another one next year.

One of my husband's co-workers just came home from Iraq, he was a contractor there for 2 years and he loved it and is thinking of going back soon. He's all smiles when he tells us about what he did over there and is very proud of it.

[WannaBreatheYou]

The war in Iraq has nothing to do with "defending us from terrorism". NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT.

I wouldn't mind if the money was going to focus on finding Bin Laden. But that would make too much sense. I know I could sure use that $16,000 for me and my son.

[SparkleHugs]

Um, as I recall we were never attacked in such a way during Clinton's administration.

Again I ask, why is it you crazy Republican's cannot praise Bush without tearing down Clinton. Can you explain why that is Connie?

Also, Iraq and Afghanistan never attacked us. All the reasons we went to this war are no longer, therefore we need to get out of it. We are not being condusive to anyone at this point, only killing in the name of someone elses vanity.

Plus, if our government really wanted to find Bin Ladin, we would have by now.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Bush opened the door for terrorism in Iraq, thank you very much. And now we are all paying for it.

[db44]

I didn't know the bridge to nowhere was a liberal endevour...

As long as we are talking Clinton though, where were you when he bombed a suspected chemical plant in Iraq? That sounds like defending ourselves from terrorism, so much for "never." :rolleyes:

[Richard Tafoya]

Of course, Connie's government class would probably not invite any of the many soldiers who disagree with Bush administration talking points.

[pinky]

I wonder what company her husband's contractor friend worked for. Whichever one it was probably got a no-bid deal and made a crapload of taxpayer money from it.

[Richard Tafoya]

Yeah, anyone thinking of going back soon voluntarily has got dollar signs in their eyes.

[lions1mew]

This way was always about money ... from how much Halliburton could pocket from "reconstruction" to how the Carlisle Group could take over Iraq's oil.

Defending my country? Saddam Hussein NEVER attacked MY country Connie. Iraq had NOTHING to do with 9-11. Zip. Zilch.

And I'm sorry but wasting TRILLIONS of dollars on a war that was started just to make Dubya and his cronies more money? Please.

Even my boss, who is a die-hard conservative Republican, can't stand Dubya any more. He's completely done a 180 on supporting him.

Just goes to show everyone can be enlightened.

[WannaBreatheYou]

^^^ Only if they're willing to take off the blinders, Margaret.

[SparkleHugs]

Most of my Republican friends no longer support Bush.

Which is good, because now i can respect them. lol

[lions1mew]

LOL I hear ya ...

If only the current Republican candidates would have the gozangas to stand up to Dubya and say they don't support him OR the war ... then I could give them a modicum of respect. Except for McCain ... he's such a HUGE disappointment to me.