CBO: By 2010, Iraq & Afghanistan War Expenses Projected Over $600 Billion

[stickdog]

Just some more fuel for the fire.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2005-05-18-csm-iraq-costs_x.htm

WASHINGTON — Fighting in Iraq has been prolonged and remains intense enough that it has pushed the total cost of U.S. military operations since Sept. 11, 2001, close to that of the Korean War.

Despite the yawning federal deficit, Congress hasn't blinked at this price. And while annual defense spending is now as high as it ever was during the Reagan buildup, the U.S. economy as a whole is much larger, making it easier, in economic terms, for the nation to shoulder the bill.

Yet the costs for Pentagon operations are likely to pile up in years ahead. By 2010, war expenses might total $600 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Much depends on when — and how many — U.S. military personnel can be withdrawn from the Iraqi theater of operations.

...

That totals $270 billion for all military operations since 2001, according to the CRS analysis. The cost of war in Iraq by itself has already far exceeded the $85 billion inflation-adjusted price tag of the 1991 Gulf War, notes Mr. Kosiak. Plus, that war was largely paid for by contributions from U.S. allies. As for all military operations combined, add in the $50 billion in war spending the Senate Armed Services Committee last week added to the fiscal 2006 defense budget bill, and the total will surpass $320 billion in U.S. funds. "That's close to the Korean war level of $350 billion ," says Kosiak.


In addition, the House has already approved ANOTHER 45 billion (off budget, of course) for Iraq & Afghanistan.

[Erika]

1. and our standard of living continues to decline

Bush is totally out of touch with working Americans. He's never been one.

[ladjf]

2. That 600 billion will have been spent for worse than naught.

It will have done irreparable damage to the U.S. And, our people needed that money. In addition to our military loss of lives, how many sick and elderly Americans will die as a result of the 600 billion shortfall of support funds at home in America?