Who Pays for THIS War of Liberation?

Shameless vanity ^ | 4-15-2003 | Dick Bachert

[Dick Bachert]

I guess I’m really dense, but can someone – ANYONE – tell me why the US tax-slaves must take it in the shorts for “Operation Iraqi Freedom?”

There’s a madman and his two crazed kids tyrannizing the Iraqi people. They’re harboring, aiding and abetting radical islamist terrorists who threaten not only every democratic nation on the planet but the decidedly less than democratic Middle East states around them, states which perhaps for ill-thought out religious reasons, do NOTHING to bring the tyrants to justice. Finally beyond frustration, the U.S. MOVES and moves in such a way as to avoid as much “collateral damage” as warfare will permit. We expend BILLIONS in treasure and American blood to liberate Iraql – and it’s STILL not over.

Iraq sits atop multiple BILLIONS of dollars in petroleum. Someone explain to me WHY it would not be appropriate but moral and reasonable to divert enough of future Iraqi oil revenues to reimburse the United States for AT LEAST our out-of-pocket costs for securing that liberation? Could – indeed, SHOULD -- ANY of these liberated Iraqis quibble with that proposition?

If they DO quibble and the American tax-slave DOES take it in the shorts (AGAIN!!!), next time we just go for it all out to ELIMINATE any DIRECT threat to us – then tell them to call extension 911 at the UN.

Better get those messages off to Washington -- ASAP -- as I believe we're being set up for another BIG hit on this, April 15th (aka "National Take It In The Shorts Day" for about half of us).

If you DO NOT express your outrage at what LOOKS like is fixing to happen, at least continue practicing those ankle gripping exercises to stay in shape.

[Steven W.]

Your diatribe is misdirected - the origin of your frustrations are liberals & big government. Providing for a national defense is one of the few things the Constitution provides for funding of at the federal level. In this case the costs of the war are not only justified but actually offset in near entirety by the lowering costs of oil. Seriously, out of multi-trillion dollars there is no reason for you, Nancy Pelosi & others to decry the cost of Iraqi freedom when the benefits of such are truly priceless in and of themselves, not to mention the benefits to be reaped in our national defense in this war on terror.

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[Tennessee_Bob]

I understand they're billing it directly to you...

[bcoffey]

Let's see: $80 billion for the war divided by 80 million US households = $1,000 per household in direct or indirect taxes.

I'll glady pay my share. If Iraq decides to pay us back, fine. If not, hey, you can't take it with you!

[jlogajan]

We expend BILLIONS in treasure and American blood to liberate Iraq

The primary goal was to eliminate the potential for state sponsored terrorism. The Bush doctrine is effectively bringing the era of state sponsored terrorism to an end. Afghanistan and Iraq are now history. Other countries sponsoring terrorism are on notice. The Bush doctrine has made it very risky to be a state sponsoring terrorism.

As for costs, the 9/11 attacks alone probably cost New York City $100 billion dollars. The costs country wide, and world wide for that matter, are staggering.

Don't be penny wise and pound foolish.

[Britton J Wingfield]

Don't be penny wise and pound foolish.

You just hit the nail on the head.

[smith288]

This is a war of oil... Im not afraid to say it. Iraqi citizens will be more than happy to sell their oil to us...which in the end, will pay for their liberation and the cost of war. I would imagine its better than how it was being done (palaces, WMD)

[discostu]

Every member of the Bush cabinet that has discussed the cost of rebuilding has mentioned the oil as a potential (and in some cases primary) source of funding. That's why protecting the fields was so important (Rummie even said so). They're way ahead of you.

[MoralSense]

Actually, John Derbyshire had the figure at $330 per person, which may be about the same thing. And he wrote, "Where do I send my check?" Which I agree with.

[Dick Bachert]

SOME of you misunderstood the thrust of my post.

My POINT is that even America has finite resources and means. Why SHOULDN'T the people who benefited most (the Iraqis) bear the cost of the operation (given that they unquestionably HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO SO)? Unless, of course you question the value of the benefit of unyoking them for a freer future. And, trust me, if these folks fall back into the tribalism, sectarianism and feuds which litter the history of that part of the world, the cost of the war will just be a small down-payment.

Some of your responses seem to indicate that you have taken a slave mentality to a new and higher level.

[11B3]

If you're not going to listen to what people have to say in reference to your own vanity post, then why did you post it to start with? Or is it an attempt to shove your ideas down others throats?

Seems to me that the entire premise of your post has been soundly refuted.

[goodnesswins]

YES, we have finite resources.....and the point is we HAVE the RESOURCES to WAGE FOR LIBERTY.....it's all the other crap the government loads into the federal budget that's the problem....and furthermore.....it's highly likely we'll be getting some payback from the Iraqi's......OIL.

[Starstruck]

For every 10 cents a gallon in increased gas prices we would have to pay with an unstable Middle East. What does that cost the U.S. economy? What about the price of freedom for millions of Iraqis? I'm willing to see my tax money go to helping free people, rather than some of the B.S. it goes to now.

[Dick Bachert]

Refuted? Not quite.

Last report I heard, we WON! Commensurate with concern for REASONABLE sensibilities of the people of Iraq and their lazy Arab neighbors -- and accessories BEFORE the fact -- we ought to behave like victors.

[Dick Bachert]

Refuted? Not quite.

Last report I heard, we WON! Commensurate with concern for REASONABLE sensibilities of the people of Iraq and their lazy Arab neighbors -- and accessories BEFORE the fact -- we ought to behave like victors.

[Floratina]

I was wondering the same thing, DB. Who is going to pay to get that country up and running? Will we have to pay for the repair/upgrading of their infrastructure, refurnish all of those looted Iraqi government buildings, pay the salaries of employees of the various ministries, police, etc.? If we have to make the initial investment, I hope we will be compensated. I think yours is a legitimate concern.

[Dick Bachert]

Thank you. Finally -- ANOTHER voice of reason on this subject.

Looks like it's you, me, Sean Hannity, the G-Man and one or two other posters in here.

Hope it's enough.