Should Congress approve Bush's request of $87 billion for Iraq? Yes, but only after making him apologize for the lying, killing, and conspiracy. Preferably on his knees. Then begin the impeachment proceedings. Oh, and he should have to pay it back at interest. Possibly we could garnish his wages and those of his oil buddies for the next couple of decades as they make all that money back and more
S. H. C.
Brooklyn
from www.villagevoice.com Question of the day:
comments submitted Tuesday, Sep 16th
I want to say NO. But, I am afraid that it's our kids in Iraq and Afghanistan that will pay if we don't pass this bill. It's apparent that this administration doesn't give a crap about these kids, or they wouldn't have put them in harm's way for a "personal" war, so if we need to send them more money to get them out alive, then we have no choice.
Sue B.
Quitman, TX
Yes. The U.S. should finish what it started. Iraqi people want a democratic system in place so Saddam or someone like him cannot take over the minute the U.S. and Britain leave. Iraqi people have said that if the West leaves now, they fear a civil war. Let's get it done and then get out and move on. We can't produce a power vacuum and then leave the Iraqi people hanging. What's done is done - let's stop complaining and trying to change the fact that the West went in, and work for a peaceful (for the Iraqi people) way for the West to leave.
Barbara S.
Sudbury, Ontario
Absolutely not! They shouldn't bail Dubya out of the mess he created. Let them do away with the tax cut(s)for the rich. And the war profiteers, such as his good friends at Halliburton and Bechtel, should cough up too.
Sheila M.
Philadelphia, PA
Absolutely not. $87 billion for what? To finance a Halliburton infrastructure, or WorldCom's for that matter? The liberation of the Iraqi people is a crock and we better wake up to this charade that’s financing corporate America's overseas interest. Isn’t it enough that the multi trillion dollar tax cut has the working class of this country unemployed. If Iraq holds the world's largest oil reserves, and the Bush men are administering its revenue, than the $87 billion Bush request cries out for congressional, if not public, scrutiny. But let's get real. In overwhelming fashion and consistent with their own enlightened self interests, congressional and media scrutiny will only allow a small glimmer of light only to be absorbed into the dark recesses where Bush and his cabinet linger.
John
Albany, NY
Consider this. Hoover Dam cost $140 million, the entire Interstate Highway system cost $135 billion. I just can't fathom the astronomical amounts requested by the President for sustaining the war effort. What precisely is the money going toward? After that question is answered then, maybe yes.
Paul
Remerton, GA
Not until all the fluff and military wish list items are removed. This request does not simply address actual costs for the effort in Iraq as it is billed as being.
Perhaps Bush should look for cash by reducing some of his bloated government consulting expenses he has built up since stealing the presidential election. While he is looking for bucks, maybe he should reduce the expenses of the sudden surge of huge "secret" military projects as well.
Of course if the administration had any semblence of international diplomacy, we wouldn't be looking at having to swallow the whole cost. Instead, we are looking at passing a huge debt onto our children so that Bush and company can continue to play spoiled rich kid with other countries.
Iraq should be under UN control until they are able to get back on their feet. The Bush administration ego is causing this huge request for funding.
Darlene
Orlando, FL
Are you kidding? Congress shouldn't approve a Bush request for an iced tea! After duping them into relinquishing their war-granting powers, neglecting our own domestic state-level budget woes, and plundering the budget surplus we had - NO WAY. The Congress should reassert itself as the backbone of power in this country and prepare for the real "regime change" that needs to occur in 2004.
Raphael T.
Los Angeles, CA
No.Not without a detailed list of where every dollar is going and approval on each thing.Than only if there is a real fast plan to give control of Iraq to its people and get out while only supervising the rebuilding.Getting the US troops out and letting international companies bid on the rebuilding should save much that $87 billion. Bush wants to bleed the poor US taxpayers who did not benefit from his tax cut for the rich.
Carla L.
South Florida
Hell no! Congress should get some balls and show this President who's boss. I'm so sick of them rubber stamping every half-baked proposal fom this administration. He thinks he can cut taxes for all his rich contributors and have the audacity to keep asking money for a war that we shouldn't be in to begin with? It's time for the so-called conservative Republicans in Congress to give this braying jackass a reality check!
Scott
Gulfport, MS
Yes, but only after making him apologize for the lying, killing, and conspiracy. Preferably on his knees. Then begin the impeachment proceedings. Oh, and he should have to pay it back at interest. Possibly we could garnish his wages and those of his oil buddies for the next couple of decades as they make all that money back and more?
S. H. C.
Brooklyn
Yes. The mess that is Iraq is the US' responsibility. But some pressure should be put on the president to spend the money on the needs of the Iraqi people, not on securing oil wells. Some of it will, naturally, go into increased security of American troops, but I think their peril will lessen when the UN assumes a more acive role. I think, however, that this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Iraqmire swallowing American tax-payer-money.
Simon
Reykjavik, Iceland
Absolutely not!Since G.W. stated that the "nation building" in Iraq would be self-supported by Iraqi oil sales, I'd say let's just let Halliburton foot the bill. Let's keep our tax dollars here; fixing roads, educating kids, etc., etc., etc.
Steve M.
Tacoma, WA
Without a published, thorough & truthful expense itemization by this administration, complete Congressional deliberation, redaction of that outsized tax cut for the wealthiest amongst us, and agreement upon a quick & viable exit strategy, absolutely not.
Steve M.
Mt. Laurel, NJ
I believe that funding for Iraq will be essential at winning the war on against terrorism. The only people who will say otherwise are civilians who don't care about our troops. Ask anyone of the family members who have a relative fighting in the Middle East and they will tell you the same.
Ryan G.
Iowa City, IA
Although I was against this war, now that we are the unpopular occupiers I see it as essential that Congress approve whatever it takes to
establish in Iraq a government by the people, for the people.
Marjorie H.
San Diego, CA
Reluctantly yes, the guy has done everything relatively right so far. Afghanistan was handled perfectly. No one expected the Iraqi's to turn on themselves after the end of major hostilities. It appears that they are starting to take some responsibility for running their country. We are also fighting Al Qayda and other non Iraqi terrorists in Iraq. That's a good thing instead of them blowing up kids and old ladies here or somewhere else.
Rex R.
Tampa, FL
Fuck no!!!! Not until he recinds the tax cut, reduces ridiculous military spending (missile shield anyone) and kisses my brown ass.
Victor
Redwood City, CA
Yes. What the heck, the nation's credit cards aren't maxed out yet. We can't be out of money, we still have checks!
Steve O.
Southern New Hampshire
Yes, we have to be successful to reduce terrorism there, or more of it will come here.
Deb
Murphysboro
I thought Iraq was full of money. Isn't that what the press and the White House keep telling us? Can't we just bill them for the wonderful "service" we have provided already? I think Congress should approve Bush's impeachment before they even consider letting him have control of another penny.
Donna R.
Athens, GA
I say no. Bush will ask for this money to help "rebuild" the country he invaded, but he will do nothing of the sort once he gets his hands on the money, and it will go to more tanks, more guns, more jets, anything that wreaks havoc. If congress gives a damn about their own country, and I have little confidence that they do, they will not approve this request.
Maria
New York City
Most emphatically NOT! Everyone in the world told Bush & Co. not to go to war with Iraq. Now that things are going badly, and he'll have to eat crow, he wants more $$ to keep on getting American soldiers killed.
Shirlene B.
Dorchester
Yes, and while they're at it, give me $2.5 million to make my film.
Michael L.
Binghamton, NY
Why not get the money from the "New Europe” and other coalition partners we heard so much about at the beginning of this war. But if congress does approve it why not save a few bucks in bookkeeping costs and make the checks out directly to the Bush cronies in whose coffers the money will end up anyways.
Silvia M.
Vienna, Austria
Not without taking back those tax cuts for the wealthy.
Anne P.
Bend, OR
Absolutely not! This was an illegal, immoral war unsanctioned by the U N. Our troops should be brought home, Iraq turned over to the Iraqis, and more money spent on homeland security. It will take a new president to do all that, though.
Claire
Phoenix, AZ
No they shouldn't! There are at least 6 or 7 million children in school in America being left behind with less funding, not to mention college students that are selling their first born just to finish school. Let's use money to care for our own as an example of how much we respect knowledge before we can attempt to rebuild a foreign country that is not our responsibility - just Bush's lie.
Patty
New York City
Yes. Then congress should repeal Bush's tax cut, reinstitute the estate tax, and raise taxes on the wealthiest ten percent of Americans as was done during WWI, WWII, Korea and the Vietnam war to pay the cost. These elites are the ones who benefit from war, let them buy it!
Mark B.
Houston, TX
NO!
It's only the beginning. They plan on using the tax payers to fund the infrastructure repairs required so the oil company's can make their big bucks.
They will be back for a lot more in the future.
Gary
St. Johnsbury, VT
What choice does Congress have at this point? We made a mess, we have to clean it up. Congress should ask for the President's exit strategy vis-a-vis Iraq and have him stick to it. Next year, the people should effect domestic regime change.
Joe F.
Chester, NJ |
