(For those not all that familiar with economics, think of opportunity cost as the time and fuel lost when you've taken a wrong turn on a highway. It's not just that you have to come back to the same place where the error was made; you have also gotten no closer to your destination.)
Of course, if the money wasn't being spent on a war in Iraq the Congress would likely find something equally unproductive to waste it on.
Truism of the day!
Congrats.
Good point on opportunity cost...if Opportunity Cost would be used in making decisions we would be much better off!
Should be applied to Welfare, War on Poverty, War on Drugs and all related Gov. programs and policies!
Because there's no real way of placing a dollar value upon it, the bean counters have the luxury of ignoring the technological spin-offs and spill-overs to the private sector. Whether it be in improved medical equipment and trauma procedures, better logistical management techniques, etc. a number of existing private sector practices will be made more efficient and profitable, and new business types will most likely open up because we went to war.