Cost of the War

packetjunkie

As just reported, $20 billion has been spent so far. $2 billion a month - not including rebuilding - is expected.

So, that being the case; was it reasonable to budget $80 billion up front?

Never count on a government spending LESS than you give them.

NOITALL

I think everyone was expecting it to be much harder than it was.

Snake Bitten

That leave's 2.5 years to help Iraq stand on it's own two feet...plenty of time...

I think more accurately would be to never count on DEMOCRATS to spend less than you give them...More than reasonable, IMO...How much did 9/11 cost us???

packetjunkie

Budgets arent set 2 years in advanace - you should know better than that, Gerald. Interesting how you make the connection to spending a political issue - anything to back that up?

Snake Bitten

Oh yeah...I personally relate "government spending" to the amount of my money the government wants to keep and allocate to someone else...The Republican's want to let me keep more of my money (pretty white of them)...The Democrats would raise my tax bracket to 75%, if given a chance...I personally heard a Democratic congressman from California say that very percentage...pathetic...

If the Republican's need less of my money to run the country than the Democrats, then which party spends more??? If it were up to me, we'd have a flat tax, one rate for everyone...and I'd tell the entire government, Here's your budget...make it work...there ain't no more...till next year.

vipernathan

I second the flat tax motion, start a poll. About the only thing that Forbes was good for in his run.

packetjunkie

Well, we agree on something - flat tax. I would even be willing to consider a federal sales tax in lieu of a flat income tax.

Is there any evidence that Republicans RETURN money once it is budgeted where Democrats don't?

Thin Man

Let IRAQ pay for rebuilding with oil money. And while they are at it... they should reimburse us our cost PLUS a "protection" fee....... hell we just liberated the bastages........

Yeah... "time for your protection payment.... or....."

Ian Hardie

Can somebody explain the problems of a flat tax to me? I mean as long as there would be government programs to help out the poor I don't really see why so many people hate flat taxes.

Snake Bitten

NONE! No one does...(Not even me!) But you missed my point...


Republicans say "Let Gerald keep more of his paycheck to spend on his viper"....

Democrats say "Let's take 75% of Gerald's paycheck, he's just going to spend it on his viper anyway!"

NOITALL

because the poor want the rich to pay for everything. lazy assholes. They think it is the rich people's duty to pay more.

Snake Bitten

The government is for infastructure, law enforcement, and defense...Why do my tax dollars, flat or progressive, have to support the poor?

RedFive

I agree that they should pay for the entire war costs, just give them time, set them up, and set up a payment plan. It is the only logical way to handle it.

I can forsee the future.....we elect a democratic liberal type and he (or she) forgives the entire debt while in the process of doing many other stupid things. :doh: And by the time we impeach its' ass it's too late.

packetjunkie

And you missed mine.... So, that being the case; was it reasonable to budget $80 billion up front?

Had someone told me we'd spend $20-$40 billion versus $120-$200 billion; I probably would have adjusted my thinking.

Snake Bitten

YES...$60 Billion, and a 20% contingency...which is the precise percentage I build into every quote I have ever given a client...The military is no different.

Ian Hardie

Because the last thing we want is a class division serious enough to throw the country into a revolution. You're right: theoretically you're tax money shouldn't have to support the poor. However, in real life the poor part of our population would not survive without your help. If the poor didn't get some help in their lives, they would continue to get poorer and poorer. History has shown it time and time again.

packetjunkie

"Contingency" is not a word used in Government Budget offices - the money is never returned.

Maybe 20% pork is more likely; but the $80 billion is the number the President requested.

NOITALL

OH SHUT THE FUCK UP.

class division is GREAT. HOw are people expected to be motivated when YOU want to hand them a check each month for doing fuck all.

screw the poor, let em suffer.

NOITALL

Additionally asshat,

How do you expect your economy to improve if no one is motivated to work harder to make more money.

fucking communist.

packetjunkie

Man, DOMOKUN, is in rare form tonight..... you guys need to get laid and work off some aggression...