Iraq war could cost US over $2 trillion

[fastpat]

Iraq war could cost US over $2 trillion, says Nobel prize-winning economist

Economists say official estimates are far too low;
new calculation takes in dead and injured soldiers

Jamie Wilson in Washington
Saturday January 7, 2006
The Guardian

The real cost to the US of the Iraq war is likely to be between $1 trillion and $2 trillion (1.1 trillion), up to 10 times more than previously thought, according to a report written by a Nobel prize-winning economist and a Harvard budget expert.

The study, which expanded on traditional estimates by including such costs as lifetime disability and healthcare for troops injured in the conflict as well as the impact on the American economy, concluded that the US government is continuing to underestimate the cost of the war.

The report came during one of the most deadly periods in Iraq since the invasion, with the US military yesterday revising upwards to 11 the number of its troops killed during a wave of insurgent attacks on Thursday. More than 130 civilians were also killed when suicide bombers struck Shia pilgrims in Karbala and a police recruiting station in Ramadi.

The paper on the real cost of the war, written by Joseph Stiglitz, a Columbia University professor who won the Nobel prize for economics in 2001, and Linda Bilmes, a Harvard budget expert, is likely to add to the pressure on the White House on the war. It also followed the revelation this week that the White House had scaled back ambitions to rebuild Iraq and did not intend to seek funds for reconstruction. Read the full text: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1681119,00.html

This and a whole lot more on the libertarian/conservative http://antiwar.com/

[techweenie]

I din't see it in a quick scan of the article, but does this number include debt service? We borrowed every penny we used to fight this war!

And, recently, as another coalition member pulled out, the article I read mentioned that 'the US is picking upt he $3 million withdrawal tab.' Probably part of the deal we cut when the handful of other countries joined up: that we'd foot the bill to get 'em in & out of country. God knows what other kinds of deals we cut with our "willing" partners, but you can be assured it's in the tens; maybe hundreds of millions.

[cool_chick]

All for a civil war.

[yellowline]

Originally posted by cool_chick
All for a civil war.

Yes, things are in total anarchy.

Have you been there in person to see things? Neither have I. That's why you don't see me commenting on the status of life in Iraq without solid fact, such as x% has electrical power, or crime has gone down x%.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by yellowline
Yes, things are in total anarchy.

That's chaos. Anarchy is a form of government under which people accomplish things that they mutually decide they want by voluntary, cooperative arrangements. Most statists like to use the term anarchy in lieu of chaos to cast further aspersions upon the form of government that is their worst nightmare because it does not permit government coercion.

Have you been there in person to see things? Neither have I. That's why you don't see me commenting on the status of life in Iraq, without solid fact such as x% has electrical power, or crime has gone down x%.

Iraq has been rendered an economic basket case by the Bush'ists, period.

[yellowline]

Originally posted by fastpat
That's chaos. Anarchy is a form of government under which people accomplish things that they mutually decide they want by voluntary, cooperative arrangements. Most statists like to use the term anarchy in lieu of chaos to cast further aspersions upon the form of government that is their worst nightmare because it does not permit government coercion.

My use of the word "anarchy" was an exaggeration and perhaps a misnomer. You read way into what i said.

And the Bushists label Iraq an economic basketcase because defending the position is impossible. You can't reason with a brick wall or 4 year olds (take your pick), aka Democrats. Rather than do so, why not jump ship?

If anybody on the board should have a beef with Iraq, it should be me, as I'd be one of the first to be drafted if it were reinstated. Next year I'll be 20, I'm not overweight, have 20/20 vision, etc.

[cool_chick]

Originally posted by yellowline
Yes, things are in total anarchy.

Have you been there in person to see things? Neither have I. That's why you don't see me commenting on the status of life in Iraq without solid fact, such as x% has electrical power, or crime has gone down x%.

So you can't surmise from the military reports of the generals, etc., in the military that this is a civil war? You have to visit?

[Capt. Carrera]

Ten years from now, two trillion to plant a democracy in the Middle East will look small. Provided it takes root.

[yellowline]

Originally posted by cool_chick
So you can't surmise from the military reports of the generals, etc., in the military that this is a civil war? You have to visit?

We could, but we see conflicting reports. We also have opportunists such as Wesley Clarke, who condemn the war for personal gain, small as it may be.

Primary sources are good, but the first person view is always better. I was with the general anti-French sentiment until I went there. I didn't hear one anti-American comment, and I had inexplicably slow service only once in a week of eating out. Plus, Paris is just...awesome. I'm not nearly as anti-French as I was...

[cool_chick]

Originally posted by yellowline
We could, but we see conflicting reports. We also have opportunists such as Wesley Clarke, who condemn the war for personal gain, small as it may be.

Primary sources are good, but the first person view is always better. I was with the general anti-French sentiment until I went there. I didn't hear one anti-American comment, and I had inexplicably slow service only once in a week of eating out. Plus, Paris is just...awesome. I'm not nearly as anti-French as I was...

LOL

Yes, I agree.

Well, this is what I base it on. Almost all the insurgents are Iraqi Sunni and Ba'athists. We're backing up the Shiites.

Going there, I don't think you would be able to tell anyway, I would think they all look alike to my layman's eyes.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Capt. Carrera
Ten years from now, two trillion to plant a democracy in the Middle East will look small. Provided it takes root.

Why would Americans want to do such a heinous thing?

[techweenie]

Originally posted by Capt. Carrera
Ten years from now, two trillion to plant a democracy in the Middle East will look small. Provided it takes root.

Kind of expensive compared to the democracy that already "bloomed" in Iran. And in Turkey.

The notion that Democracy is somehow linked to righteous government is as naive as the old bromide taught in grade schools: that democracies never attack unless attacked.

Here's a good source that might make you want to ask for your $200,000 share of the war cost back:

http://www.cato.org/dailys/11-30-03.html

[Mulhollanddose]

[HardDrive]

Mulhollanddose is right!!! It that evil truth that is the problem here. If people would just stop reporting it, things would be just fine.

[techweenie]

Facts are liberal.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Mulhollanddose
current propaganda snipped

Here's some more for you.



Notice the babies under the German's foot.




Propaganda Ministry



Condi Lies-a

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by HardDrive
Mulhollanddose is right!!! It that evil truth that is the problem here. If people would just stop reporting it, things would be just fine.

No, it is the evil lies that are the problem.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Mulhollanddose
No, it is the evil lies that are the problem.

Then stop spreading those lies. I've given you a mountain of truth, now go spread it around.

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by fastpat
Then stop spreading those lies. I've given you a mountain of truth, now go spread it around.

The application of your favorite lipstick to a pig does not change the pig.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

we are always at war with.....