Shock 'n' Awe: Bush admin preparing largest spending request yet for wars ($127 to 160 billion)

[Human Torch]

Military may ask $127B for wars
Posted 11/16/2006 11:17 PM ET
By Richard Wolf, USA TODAY

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-11-16-iraq-costs_x.htm?csp=34



WASHINGTON — The Bush administration is preparing its largest spending request yet for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a proposal that could make the conflict the most expensive since World War II. The Pentagon is considering $127 billion to $160 billion in requests from the armed services for the 2007 fiscal year, which began last month, several lawmakers and congressional staff members said. That's on top of $70 billion already approved for 2007.

Since 2001, Congress has approved $502 billion for the war on terror, roughly two-thirds for Iraq. The latest request, due to reach the incoming Democratic-controlled Congress next spring, would make the war on terror more expensive than the Vietnam War.

Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., who will chair the Senate Budget Committee next year, said the amount under consideration is "$127 billion and rising." He said the cost "is going to increasingly become an issue" because it could prevent Congress from addressing domestic priorities, such as expanding Medicare prescription drug coverage.

Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., who put the expected request at $160 billion, said such a sizable increase still "won't solve the problem" in Iraq. Bill Hoagland, a senior budget adviser to Senate Republicans, said: "At a minimum, they were looking at $130 (billion). If it goes higher than that, I'm not surprised." The new request being considered for the war on terror would be about one-fourth what the government spends annually on Social Security — and 10 times what it spends on its space program.

[Gman]

1. Assuming Bush is even aware this is being prepared...

why is Bush setting up a confrontation after the voters made it crystal clear that the war costs too much and they want out of Iraq? Is Bush setting the Democrats up to claim a victory by cutting spending when they refuse to finance what Bush wants? Or is Bush intentionally asking for the max while knowing funding will be cut and will at least get what he thinks he needs? Inquiring minds want to know: "What the hell is Bush thinking?", assuming Bush is trying to think.

[Human Torch]

2. Given the recent stories about Bush wanting "one last big push"...

...I have to believe he's aware of this. Last big pushes cost big bucks. He may not be in on the actual dollar amount of the request, but he's the reason it's happening.

Maybe he's asking for the high numbers in order to guarantee the low. Maybe he's so far over the edge that he thinks his "last big push" will "win" the "war on terra" and he's "show them all," especially his daddy.

Who knows...

:patriot:

[blondeatlast]

4. I can predict the spin. If the lame-duck Congress doesn't approve it,

you can bet they will be painted as "not supporting the troops." It's a good way to introduce that meme prior to the 110th congress taking over and putting the 110th (Democratically controlled) on the defensive.

We've gotta come oout with a defense on this yesterday.

[rodeodance]

5. congress is afraid not to spend money on the troops (and it Will be framed

in that way-------and it will be a Dem congress).

oh boy!

[blondeatlast]

6. Great minds think alike--check our time stamps! Wow! nt

[lapfog_1]

3. I don't think he cares.

As far as he was concerned, the election results were about the leadership at the Pentagon, and he fired Rummy, so that takes care of things. Now we got to stay the course for one more year and we win. And the people support the troops and that's different than Veitnam... so, you see, that means the people are behind the war effort, but we just have to figure a way to win, that's all. And if we leave, we lose, so if we stay, we win.

I sear to god that's how he is thinking.

He's a moron.

[acmavm]

7. ONE: We cannot afford it. TWO: The troops won't get any of

it. THREE: People, Dems, Repubs, Indies, Commie Pinkos, whoever, are frigging sick and tired of seeing their money go to Halliburton, KBR, and the boys.

I think it is a mistake to assume that any objections to the corrupt Pentagon's requests for more money to squander would meet disapproval by the majority of Americans. This mid-term election shows just the opposite.

[leesa]

8. They know it's their last drink at the trough for this one.

They stole nearly all the money but they are getting a few more pennies before they are cut off.