Iraq war could cost taxpayers $2.7 trillion

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: CNNMoney

By David Goldman, CNNMoney.com staff writer
June 12, 2008

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- As the Iraq war continues with no clear end in sight, the cost to taxpayers may balloon to $2.7 trillion by the time the conflict comes to an end, according to Congressional testimony. In a hearing held by the Joint Economic Committee Thursday, members of Congress heard testimony about the current costs of the war and the future economic fallout from returning soldiers.

At the beginning of the conflict in 2003, the Bush administration gave Congress a cost estimate of $60 billion to $100 billion for the entirety of the war. But the battle has been dragging on much longer than most in the government expected, and costs have ballooned to nearly ten times the original estimate.

William Beach, director of the Center for Data Analysis, told members of Congress that the Iraq war has already cost taxpayers $646 billion. That's only accounting for five years, and, with the conflict expected to drag on for another five years, the figure is expected to more than quadruple....

The Bush Administration, which was invited to give testimony, declined to participate. The Pentagon has previously said that the war costs approximately $9.5 billion a month, but some economists say the figure is closer to $25 billion a month when long-term health care for veterans and interest are factored in....

Read more: http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/11/news/economy/iraq_war_hearing/index.htm?cnn=yes

[whistle]

1. Gee and all that because Bush and Cheney lied and said Iraq and Saddam caused 9-11

[Amonester]

22. In reality, it's because Bush and Cheney want to rob the oil there...

to enrich themselves first, and the very few circle of "have-mores" (-like those seen in 'Fahrenheit 911' by Michael Moore-).

They don't care who's gonna pay $2,700,000,000,000.00 plus interests (and who lost, lose, and will lose their lives, limbs, or sanity for life): in fact, that's what they always wanted...

Impeach these bastaRds.

[Cant trust em]

2. What's a few billion dollars between friends...

[pattmarty]

3. Send the bill to the RNC.

[Frances]

4. But we don't have money for social security

or for bridges or roads or mass transportation?

[Magleetis]

5. Killing people

sure is expensive these days.

[Blaze Diem]

6. and how many Billions is hidden away in Bush/Cheney's offshore

private bank accts??
F'in thieves & those who allowed them to continue.
F You Pelosi.

[Raster]

7. Kick this UP Pass this around to family and friends!

The cheney*/bush* debacle will bankrupt this country. This is a war that need never have taken place. Predicated on lies--a vanity war--and designed to financially benefit allies of the pResident and Vice pResident. 2.7 Trillion Warmongering Dollars. We could solve homelessness. We could bring competent healthcare to ALL OF OUR CITIZENS. We could be well on our way to a secure, sustainable energy future. So many things we could be doing with the financial and human resources instead of pissing them down the hole in Iraq. And ALL BASED ON LIES!!! Over 4,000 dead Americans and HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of innocent Iraqis, whose only crime was inhabiting petroleum-rich real estate that the greedy bastards covet. And ALL BASED ON LIES!!!

And unfortunately, the only body that was able to prevent this catastrophe, the only body that is able to end this catastrophe and the only body this is able to hold those persons responsible has deemed taking any of those actions as politically unpalatable and "off the table."

Wake up America!:kick:Cowards and collaborators in Congress!

[daggahead]

8. HEY!

We were told it was only going to be $80 billion!

[emad]

9. And people wonder why the US economy's going down the pan?

Remember the recession after the Gulf War, anybody?

[Raster]

10. One more recommend good people. Please send this to THE GREATEST!

[Raster]

11. Kick!

[Mabus]

12. The only things Bush has ever been successful at are running things into the ground

and making money for himself, his family and friend while he's doing it.

In the past, Poppy would come to his rescue and have his friends bail out junior.

[Toucano]

13. The entire administration needs to be jailed

JAILED I say!

This is just grotesque.

[darue]

14. asset seizures from all profiteers: bush, carlyle group, halliburton, blackwater - let them all pay

once the worst corps are sucked dry, go after republicans in general - those "fellow american" traitors brought us this murderous folly, let the insecure and always frightened little shits pay for it.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

15. Funny how Republicans were all for war in Iraq, but the have squealing fits at increased taxes

War cost money. Vast amounts of money, actually. Which are paid for out of our tax money.

Sadly, they fail to see the relation of one to the other.

[paparush]

16. Is that includig the $2.3 TRILLION that's unaccountable?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

18. That was from before the war in Iraq

Rumsfeld pointed out how they could not track some 2.3 trillion dollars in military spending transactions.

There's also a missing $15 billion in military spending lost someplace in the Iraq war on top of the missing $2.3 trillion from before.

[jpak]

17. Stupid headline, should read: Iraq war could cost *unborn* taxpayers $2.7 trillion

The GOP put it all on the national credit card...

[daleo]

19. That's assuming it ever ends. n/t

[windoe]

20. Yes- seize the profits from the war profiteers!!!!

And use this money to rebuild our country and the countries * destroyed. Bastards cannot get away with the cash, no way.

[brentspeak]

21. Take it out of Cheney's life savings

Along with every Halliburton and Bechtel executives' life savings.

Pick 'em up by the ankles, and shake 'em upside-down until every bit of loose change is scattered on the floor.

[Dark]

23. Jesus, just take their oil already. That's what you were there for.

At least give us that, you incompetent fuckoffs. As much as we're going to pay, at least get us that!

:sarcasm: