Excellent logic. I always find numbers interesting. For example:
Estimates of the cost of rebuilding Iraq after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime range from $50 billion to $100 billion.
But then we'd have to contrast that with costofwar.com
Currently, the Cost of War calculator is set to reach $152 billion at the end of 2004. This amount is based on the National Priorities Project analysis of the three requests made by the Bush Administration for funding for the war on Iraq, and what Congress actually allocated. The most recent request passed by Congress was for an additional $25 billion which was intended to pay for the costs through the end of the calendar year. For more information, please see the NPP publication, 'Cost to taxpayers of new $25 billion war request.'
So one has to wonder if Iraq is now completely rebuilt and its citizens loving us for making their country a paradise on earth, given that so far we are way over budget and by all accounts will continue to do so for years to come.
BTW, to put just this year's numbers in context, consider this:
Taxpayers in the US will pay $152.6 billion for the cost of war in Iraq. For the same amount of money, the following could have been provided:
34,657,367 People Receiving Health Care or
20,211,205 Head Start Places for Children or
89,780,249 Children Receiving Health Care or
1,373,971 Affordable Housing Units or
17,957 New Elementary Schools or
29,589,878 Scholarships for University Students or
2,629,815 Music and Arts Teachers or
3,438,276 Public Safety Officers or
2,390,319 Port Container Inspectors
For our good state of New York, which arguably was the most affected one by 9/11:
Taxpayers in New York will pay $13.0 billion for the cost of war in Iraq. For the same amount of money, the following could have been provided:
1,516,003 People Receiving Health Care or
1,474,658 Head Start Places for Children or
5,576,008 Children Receiving Health Care or
104,825 Affordable Housing Units or
1,197 New Elementary Schools or
2,214,273 Scholarships for University Students or
173,815 Music and Arts Teachers or
262,731 Public Safety Officers or
203,118 Port Container Inspectors
For more comparisons see database.nationalpriorities.org |
