Federal Budget / Spending

[Loki]

2009 United States federal budget

The Defense Budget is $515, and that does not include any war spending. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq's money spent is kept secret. It is likely to dwarf the Defense Budget figures, though.

Stiglitz, former chief economist of the World Bank and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, has stated the total costs of the Iraq War on the US economy will be three trillion dollars in a moderate scenario, and possibly more in the most recent published study, published in March 2008.[11] Stiglitz has stated: "The figure we arrive at is more than $3 trillion. Our calculations are based on conservative assumptions. They are conceptually simple, even if occasionally technically complicated. A $3 trillion figure for the total cost strikes us as judicious, and probably errs on the low side. Needless to say, this number represents the cost only to the United States. It does not reflect the enormous cost to the rest of the world, or to Iraq."

And that is only Iraq. This is also an interesting bit of info:

A recent study indicated that the long term health care costs for wounded Iraq war veterans could range from $350 billion to $700 billion.

It is clear that this money could have been much more wisely spent domestically. I find it hypocritical that people would gladly give their tax dollars to fund such expensive war adventures and killing sprees, yet complain very loudly if only a fraction of these costs would be spent in providing healthcare for the poor. Not only hypocritical, but immoral.

[Germanicus]

The Democrats under Obama will extricate themselves from this quicksand of a war with the Taliban, that is the only solution.
This a war Obama inherited, and he has 2 options, pull away from it by discussion and deals , or play the hand he has been dealt with to the end, the latter will destroy him and his goverment.

[Rudy]

They are building a big base in Afghanistan, similar to the big base they built in Iraq.
http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=11203

The military industrial complex was a concern was back in the time of Eisenhower, and it has grown much bigger since then.

The link in my signature has more information on the US debt.

[SwordoftheVistula]

This a war Obama inherited, and he has 2 options, pull away from it by discussion and deals , or play the hand he has been dealt with to the end, the latter will destroy him and his goverment.

So far, he's been escalating it. The Bush/McCain support for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and potentially against Iran and Syria as well were the main reason Obama got elected. If he's still muddling around there a few years from now, combined with the 'Obamacare' mess, he won't be reelected unless maybe if the Republicans put up another terrible candidate and/or massive fraud takes place.

[Germanicus]

They are building a big base in Afghanistan, similar to the big base they built in Iraq.
http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=11203

The military industrial complex was a concern was back in the time of Eisenhower, and it has grown much bigger since then.

The link in my signature has more information on the US debt.

Thanks for this interesting post..

[Germanicus]

So far, he's been escalating it. The Bush/McCain support for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and potentially against Iran and Syria as well were the main reason Obama got elected. If he's still muddling around there a few years from now, combined with the 'Obamacare' mess, he won't be reelected unless maybe if the Republicans put up another terrible candidate and/or massive fraud takes place.

Exactly as i have posted, he has no option really, his military advisors and military heads of staff know that escalation is the answer, he will not survive re- election.

[Æmeric]

2009 United States federal budget

The Defense Budget is $515, and that does not include any war spending. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq's money spent is kept secret. It is likely to dwarf the Defense Budget figures, though.

You forgot the billion. But the global war on terror should be added making it $660 billion.

It is clear that this money could have been much more wisely spent domestically. I find it hypocritical that people would gladly give their tax dollars to fund such expensive war adventures and killing sprees, yet complain very loudly if only a fraction of these costs would be spent in providing healthcare for the poor. Not only hypocritical, but immoral.

Who is gladly giving their tax dollars to fund this war? Tax evasion is a crime in the US. Besides I think most of it is borrowed money. That was one of the big issues in the last election, the costs of the War on Terror, the war in Iraq & Afghainstan, the deficit. Not that the Democrats have been an improvement, they've added over a trillion in additional deficit spending since January - without yet passing universal healthcare. And you don't pay US taxes. Those of us who do have every right to complain about how we are taxed, how much is borrowed & how it is being spent. Who made you the moral conscious of the American people?

[Loki]

Who is gladly giving their tax dollars to fund this war? Tax evasion is a crime in the US.

I haven't seen you complaining about giving your tax money to fund senseless wars. And that is surprising given that you are ... well ... let's say "prudent" with your money.

Besides I think most of it is borrowed money.

Borrowed money has to be paid back at some point. At least in theory, anyway.

That was one of the big issues in the last election, the costs of the War on Terror, the war in Iraq & Afghainstan, the deficit.

Indeed, and that's one of the reasons why the Republicans lost -- many people had woken up the follies of neoconservatist-fuelled warmongering. Whether the Obama administration will be any better is up to debate. Probably not much.

Those of us who do have every right to complain about how we are taxed, how much is borrowed & how it is being spent. Who made you the moral conscious of the American people?

Well, I'm someone with a brain who likes to look at world issues and give my verdict. You are not very different in that regard, frequently criticising the ways of other countries, particularly in Europe.

[Æmeric]

I haven't seen you complaining about giving your tax money to fund senseless wars. And that is surprising given that you are ... well ... let's say "prudent" with your money.

When I did I support the Bush wars? I've been critical of the US military adventures & have advocated withdrawing from NATO. If you had paid attention you would know I'm not a neocon. But that isn't really the issue, is it?

[Loki]

When I did I support the Bush wars? I've been critical of the US military adventures & have advocated withdrawing from NATO. If you had paid attention you would know I'm not a neocon. But that isn't really the issue, is it?

I'm talking specifically about the fiscal implications. A lot more tax dollars go to senseless wars, but you choose to pick on healthcare spending's impact on your wallet. I'm merely pointing out that, if money is to be saved on the budget, it can easily be recouped from other unnecessary expenditures.