The MOST worrying part of the $87 billion that is going to Iraq is NEVER

[acmavm]

discussed by anyone, at least as far as I've seen, and I've been reading almost all the threads lately. This bill $21 billion dollars to be spent at the discretion of the Coalition Provisional Authority and the Department of Defense WITH ABSOLUTELY NO OVERSIGHT WHATSOEVER. Now call me paranoid but there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that all this amounts to is a SLUSH FUND to be spent by people who are already making huge amounts of money disappear into their pockets and the pockets of people who can further their agenda in the Middle East. The following is a breakdown on where the money is supposed to go:

· $18.6 billion – or 21% – is allocated for “security, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in Iraq”
· $5.56 billion for the electric sector
· $4.33 billion for water resources and sanitation
· $3.24 billion for security and law enforcement
· $2.10 billion for oil infrastructure
· $1.32 billion for justice, public safety infrastructure, and civil society
· $793 million for health care
· $500 million for transportation and telecommunications
· $370 million for roads, bridges, and construction
· $280 million for education, refugees, human rights, democracy and governance
· $153 million for private sector development

· While $65.3 billion – or 75% – is allocated for continuing military activities in Iraq and Afghanistan
· And another $21 billion – or 24% – for “Coalition Provisional Authority and Department of State” activities

WAR PROFITEERING AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL (HOUSE RESOLUTION 3289):
· House Amendment 411: Requires “executive agencies to inform Congress of ‘no-bid’ contracts before they are offered.” (Vote: 405-20)

· House Amendment 431: Requires “that normal competitive bidding procedures are followed in procurement under the funds appropriated for Iraq’s oil infrastructure.” (Vote: 248 – 179)

· House Amendment 424: Prohibits “funds made available in the bill from being used in the participation of Iraq in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.” (Voice vote.)

· The Senate REJECTED an amendment that would prevent further fiscal abuses. Sponsored by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), the amendment would have barred funds from going to contracts with companies that owe deferred compensation to Cheney and 21 other administration officials. It was defeated by a 65-34 vote, with only Democrats voting in support.
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Please tell me what these people are up to that can require an additional $21 billion with no strings attached? What is the CPA going to do with the money? Isn't this Chalabi? If it is, we all know how trustworthy he is.

ALSO, pay close attention to the amendment (the last item) that was rejected defeated. Cheney and and another 21 administration officials will benefit by the passage of this bill.

Here is what Senator Kennedy had to say about the bill:
· SENATOR TED KENNEDY (D-MA): “When the roll is called on this $87 legislation, which provides no effective conditions for genuine international participation and a clear change in policy in Iraq, I intend to vote no. The amount of money is huge. It is 87 times what the federal government spends annually on after-school programs. It is 7 times what President Bush proposed to spend on education for low-income schools in 2004. It is 9 times what the federal government spends on special education each year. It is 8 times what the government spends to help middle- and low-income students go to college. It is 15 times what the government spends on cancer research. It is 27 times what the government spends on substance abuse and mental health treatment.” (Source: Washington Post, October 19, 2003.)

WHY DID DEMOCRATS VOTE TO GIVE THIS CORRUPT ADMINISTRATIONS ALL THIS MONEY? AND WHY IN THE NAME OF ANYTHING SACRED OR HOLY WOULD THEY NOT CUT THAT $21 BILLION OUT OF THE BILL. IT WILL NOT BE USED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE, AND IT CERTAINLY WILL NOT BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION ONE BIT. HOW MUCH DO YOU THING WILL END UP BACK IN THE POCKETS, OR CAMPAIGN WAR CHESTS, OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION?

more information can be found at:
http://www.southernstudies.org/index.asp

[HFishbine]

1. "$153 million for private sector development"

Good googly moogly. The lowest thing on the list. Sounds like a bunch of socialist priorities to me.

[prolesunited]

3. I find the irony in this measure incredible

Whenever we advocate for things such as universal health care or public infrastructure improvements, we're a bunch of commie, pinko, bleeding heart liberals, but then we're going to take taxpayer dollars and do the same thing in another country. :wtf:

[Spazito]

2. The reality is that none of this money will go to help the Iraqis....

it will go to Bush's corporate cronies, all of it!

[TreasonousBastard]

4. Why am I not surprised?