[Byron_the_Aussie]

..this is war and we are serious...

It's not war. It's regulation-for-its-own sake, gone mad. Compliance costs alone for Patriot Act financial regulations in the US are expected to be $11 billion.

[Ciexyz]

Hey Europe, it's a new ballgame today. Get over it!

[Arpege92]

"It's not war. It's regulation-for-its-own sake, gone mad."

Ummm....no it's not! It's war and if the Europeans don't want to follow OUR rules, then they can just stay home. It's up to us to protect ourselves....not Europe!

[tsmith130]

The Wall Street Journal recently tallied the costs to our country and economy, of the September 11th attacks.


They include:


$7.8 billion in lost income for the families of the more than 3,000 victims-money that would have gone to pay for braces and summer camps, schools and colleges.


$21 billion sent to New York City for direct damage costs.


$4 billion for the victims fund.


$18 billion to clean up the World Trade Center site.


$700 million to repair the Pentagon.


As much as $6.4 billion in reduced or lost wages and salaries for workers in New York industries.


1.3 million net jobs lost nationwide.


$150 billion in reduced GDP.


$50 billion in costs to the insurance industry.


$11 billion in lost business to the airline industry.


The bankruptcy of two airlines, even after a $15 billion federal bailout.


$38 billion in costs for new border security, protection against biological threats, and emergency preparedness.


$1.3 billion in costs to state governments for homeland security, and


$33 billion in spending by the private sector for new protective services.