Bush Will Seek $87 Billion for Iraq

Reuters via Washington Post ^ | 9-7-03

[dogbyte12]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush will announce on Sunday night that he plans to ask Congress for $87 billion to fund the U.S. military deployment in Iraq and pay for reconstruction, a Republican source said.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the money would fund U.S. military operations in Iraq and reconstruction over the coming budget year.

The figure includes assistance for Afghanistan. Bush was to make the request in an 8:30 p.m. EDT address to the nation, the source said.

The figure was at the high end of expectations. Some members of Congress said earlier they expected Bush to get what he asked for but wanted him to detail how long U.S. troops would remain in Iraq and outline a strategy for bringing them home. (snip)

[aphexairlines]

You might help those families who suffer for your sake by joining the armed forces.

http://www.goarmy.com/

[montag813]

We're already $598 billion in the hole for this year... Another $87 billion on top of that? Does this man have any concept of money whatsoever?

Well, remember one thing...these deficits are the cheapest in American history at current interest rates. I just wish we could invest the $90 billion in new weapons systems rather than waste it on ungrateful diaperheads.

[Hank Rearden]

This bill will pass because they will elect someone who will pass it for them, Bush vetoes the bill, the Democrat who takes office in 2005 will pass one twice as big.

You talk like a Republican, as opposed to someone who has principles. Principles aligned with the intent of our country's Founders, for example.

There's not such thing as a too-big Big Stupid Republican Government, is there? Just let it keep growing like stink. No problem.

Until the whole mess crashes.

[Socratic]

"You might help those families who suffer for your sake by joining the armed forces."

Thank you for your kind thoughts; the same which I have already considered. Having researched the matter, I find that I am too old.

[Sparta]

What is this $87 billion supposed to be spent on? Where is this money going?

Are there any plans to privatize Iraq's oil companies, national airline, electrical companies, open a stock market, or do anything to create a free market economy in Iraq?

If not, this is just more money being poured down the drain.

[thtr]

If you are attacked and don't fight back, you just invite more of the same

Normally one fights back at the people that attacked you. Were fighting back at someone’s next door neighbor. – and paying dearly for it.

[Conservababe]

Well, ah am going to ask it again. If we are not loaning Iraq the money, but merely allocating and directing rebuilding out of our resourses....who gets the money?

[ohioWfan]

Yeah, I 'capiche.' Thanks for the clarification.

Don't try to stop the guys who want us to die, and are trying to blow us up. Stop the thirsty guy crawling across the border who wants to take our jobs away instead.

It's still mixing issues, either way, Fred. It's not an either/or situation, and never will be.

The war on terror has to be fought in Iraq AND on our borders.......and, if you care to know my opinion, which I highly doubt......I agree that not NEARLY enough is being done there. But the illegal Mexicans aren't trying to blow us all off the face of the earth.....

[Hank Rearden]

If we are not loaning Iraq the money, but merely allocating and directing rebuilding out of our resourses....who gets the money?

Since you insist: what doesn't go to military payrolls goes to defense contractors, the D.C. parasite morass and bribes to overseas politicians, thugs and potentates both massive and petty.

It's not a hard question to answer.

[Fred Mertz]

See #100 Einstein.

[Socratic]

"Normally one fights back at the people that attacked you. Were fighting back at someone’s next door neighbor. – and paying dearly for it."

Check out my post #45. Sometimes there are broader aspects which are never taken into account. 'Night everyone, it's after midnight and I have a twelve-hour work day tomorrow.

[Conservababe]

Oh no, the money goes right back to USA business. And Bush is not going to let the French or Germans in at all.

Kind of funny, huh, that we take from the government and give to business.

I love it, actually.

[Terp]

To those that are crying that we should spend the money Bush asked for and more on Iraq. I ask, do you have the courage of your convictions to call for a tax hike to pay for what you think is so important?

No I won't ask for a tax hike. The President has one obligation to the country and that is to protect us from all threats whether foreign or domestic. This "War on Terror" fits the bill in my opinion. We need to cut programs not increase taxes.

[ohioWfan]

I'm not ignoring the issue at all, and our open borders scare the bejeebies out of me, and I'd like them shut down yesterday......

The issue that's being confused, IMO, is that the poor Mexican is more of a concern than the terrorists plotted to destroy us, even as we speak. And your reference to Mexican illegals is what caused the confusion in reading your post.

To tell the truth, there is most likely more danger in our vast, and porous Canadian border than the Mexican one.

[thtr]

Was there a connection between September 11th and Canadian airfields? No. Was September 11th the reason to secure Canadian airfields? Yes. A similar analysis can be applied to Saddam Hussein's Iraq.

An utterly ridiculous comparison. How many US soldiers gave up their lives to secure those Canadian air fields? How many billons of dollars did it cost to secure those Canadian airfields?

[ohioWfan]

I love you, Fred. You're such a sweetheart.......and a good conversationalist, to boot!

Have a good night!

(btw, I was actually thanking you for the clarification. Read it again).

[Sparta]

And Bush is not going to let the French or Germans in at all.

Don't be sure about that. All the French have to say is non to every UN resolution the US asks for. By going back to the UN for money and troops, Bush has put the ball in the French and co's court.

Kind of funny, huh, that we take from the government and give to business.

Government's got to take that money from someone. So in a sense, the government is simply giving back the money from the people it stole the money from in the first place.

[templar]

Does this man have any concept of money whatsoever?

With enough work and a bit of luck, he'll be the first President ever to achieve a trillion dollar deficit in one year.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Why can't Iraq sell its oil resources and pay for its own reconstruction?