[Senator Pardek]

Why not 86? Why not 88?

[Vis Numar]

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?

[FreeAtlanta]

hmmmmm, another anonomous source. Let me know if he actually asks for this. I am getting the feeling that a lot of garbage is being put out by the left, in the name of this mysterious "Republican Source."

[Archangelsk]

$87,000,000,000

.

Hell, I'm good for a billion. Who do I write the check out to?

[Djarum]

Can I have $87 billion? I've spent my allowance but I want to go to war tonight.

[Rain-maker]

Another $87 billion + $66 billion = economic implosion. Keynesian enconomics or not this budget fallacy is about to show it's teeth. ...and the walls came tumbling down.

[Imagine]

Frankly, I'd rather spend that in Iraq to crush the muslim extremists than the same amount on welfare here in the good 'ole USA so that unemployed women living in 4 br apartments can pump out more illigimate children. What do you think?

[Imagine]

And moreover, I think the $40 Bil we spend each year on the Dept of Educ. is like flushing it down the tiolet.

[Imagine]

But, in retrospect, ten 200 megaton nukes would be a lot cheaper.

[Consort]

Sine the current generation is doing the heavy lifting on the war on terror, pass the cost on to the next generation. That will be their contribution.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Ummm has anybody in Washinton ever thought of making Iraq pay for its own rebuilding, they have lots of oil ya know, we gave up american lives to get them shed of Sadam...its the least they could do?

BigMack

[mhking]

I have no problem with spending $87 Million to keep us all safe. But the larger question is whether or not the Bush Administration is planning on cutting some other spending to balance all of this.

Otherwise, how long will it be before he tells us that he has to raise taxes to get us there?

[joesnuffy]

Lets see the county sucked 4 grand out of our account
The state the Feds and FICA will suck a whole lot more
Gas is up Propane is up Food prices up
and now I get to pay even more for Iraq
Where is the less govt party....again?

[chance33_98]

How much of it is coming back? Many US companies will be participating in the rebuild, some of it goes to our troops, equipment manufacturers, and so on. Plus we will most likely be creating a new market for our products (which can be paid for via oil sales).

Yes it is a load of money, but if considered a long term investment it may not be such a bad deal (not to mention the above, much of it may be being recycled right back into American companies who will providing the services, which could result in some local job creation).

Time will tell the effect it will have and whether or not we come out ahead on the deal.

[jgrubbs]

I am so glad we have a conservative in office, I would hate to see someone who is in favor of BIG government and increasing the size of government in office. </ sarcasm>

[StopGlobalWhining]

Why aren't we using Iraq oil revenues to bill them for reconstruction charges, along with protection services, training for police and military, etc?

After all, it's for their ultimate benefit as much as it is for ours, so why should American taxpayers be expected to foot the entire bill?

I guess I don't have the wisdom, knowledge, and Ivy League education of those in the State Department to understand why we are such suckers.

[Enough is ENOUGH]

"$87 billion?"

This is in the form of a loan to Iraq, one of the largest oil producing countries, isn't it?

[BlessingInDisguise]

"Bush asks for money."

What else is new?

[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.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

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