Thread: 661,9 billion spend on Bush wars

By Caren Bohan and Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush on Monday asked a skeptical, Democrat-run Congress to approve $700 billion in new military spending -- much of it for the Iraq war -- and to curb many domestic programs.

Bush also warned that even more money for Iraq could be needed, as he unveiled a $2.9 trillion budget request for fiscal 2008 certain to stoke growing frustrations among Democrats and some Republicans over the war.

Democrats, newly in control of Congress, may jettison many of Bush's domestic proposals and have pledged aggressive oversight of Iraq spending. But Democratic leaders have promised not to cut off funding for the troops.

The military spending request comes as Democrats have expressed alarm over Bush's plan to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq.

If Congress approves the war-funding request, the United States will have spent $661.9 billion on combat in Iraq, Afghanistan and related activities, the administration said.

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Cassie writes: With the 661,9 billion, we could have subsidized health care, a fence along the border, our troops would be here and could be deployed along our Northern and Southern border, we could help our poor. But no, Halliburton and the Republicans wanted a war

Republicans blame Democrats for raising tax, but that's always better than wasting tax

There is no constitutional authority for Congress to subsidize healthcare.

Cassie writes: With the 661,9 billion, we could have subsidized health care, a fence along the border, our troops would be here and could be deployed along our Northern and Southern border, we could help our poor. But no, Halliburton and the Republicans wanted a war

While I don't disagree, I would add that if the Democrats shove amnesty down our throats, the costs will rival or surpass Bush's war spending. It will be in the trillions of dollars. Yeah, let's add this onto our $8.7 trillion national debt! I thought the Dems were trying to resurrect PAY-GO???

Originally Posted by Kate

Cassie writes: With the 661,9 billion, we could have subsidized health care, a fence along the border, our troops would be here and could be deployed along our Northern and Southern border, we could help our poor. But no, Halliburton and the Republicans wanted a war

While I don't disagree, I would add that if the Democrats shove amnesty down our throats, the costs will rival or surpass Bush's war spending. It will be in the trillions of dollars. Yeah, let's add this onto our $8.7 trillion national debt! I thought the Dems were trying to resurrect PAY-GO???

You're cat is cute, Kate.
I don't think that amnesty, which I oppose, will be more expensive than the current war of $ 661,9 billion. And this money will not end this war, I'm sure of that ! The money must be spend on Americans and not on the war. The debt was lower onder Bill, but Bush screwed it up. We Dems must always clean the mess the GOP leaves.

cassie,

You missed part of this article.

http://link.toolbot.com/reuters.com/59718

UPDATE 4-Bush asks skeptical Congress for billions for Iraq
Mon Feb 5, 2007 3:33pm ET

By Caren Bohan and Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush asked a skeptical Congress on Monday for more money to pay for the Iraq war, in a $622 billion defense-spending request that exceeded that of any year since the end of World War Two.

Bush's $2.9 trillion federal budget for fiscal 2008 sets the stage for a heated battle with Democrats newly in control of Congress who have vowed aggressive oversight of war spending.

The hefty war cost also comes amid opposition by many Democrats and some Republicans to Bush's decision to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq.

Democrats are likely to jettison many of Bush's proposed curbs in domestic spending, which include finding savings in politically sensitive areas such as children's health care.

"Our priority is to protect the American people. And our priority is to make sure our troops have what it takes to do their jobs. We also have got priorities in national parks, in education, in health care," Bush told reporters at a Cabinet meeting.

The budget's unveiling kicks off weeks of hearings on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers will try to produce their own version of the spending blueprint by spring.

"I doubt that Democrats will support this budget, and frankly, I will be surprised if Republicans rally around it either," said House of Representatives Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt, Democrat of South Carolina.

The request would boost the Pentagon's regular budget by more than 10 percent to $481 billion. Bush is also seeking $141 billion in military funding to support the Iraq war for the 2008 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

The combined request for the war spending and the main defense budget totals $622 billion for next year. That makes it the highest in inflation-adjusted terms in more than 60 years, said Steven Kosiak, a defense expert at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.

"This is higher than any level since 1946, when the U.S. was drawing down from World War Two," Kosiak said.

Including both military and diplomatic operations, Bush is proposing a total of $245 billion for the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts between now and late 2008.

The White House warned that even more may be needed. "As activity on the ground evolves, the administration may adjust the requested amount," the budget said.

If Congress approves the war-funding request, the United States will have spent $661.9 billion on combat in Iraq, Afghanistan and related activities, the administration said.

Helping to drive some of the big increase in the Pentagon's main budget were plans announced by Bush later last year -- and supported by many Democrats -- to increase the overall size of the military.

On the domestic side, Bush called for a tight 1 percent limit on domestic discretionary spending. He urged that his tax cuts be made permanent and said that could be done while balancing the budget in five years.

Programs ranging from labor to education and cleaning up the environment would take a cut after accounting for inflation, which is running at around 2.5 percent.

Some of Bush's proposed savings would come in health care programs. Bush would squeeze $66 billion over five years in savings from the Medicare health program for the elderly.

Democrats criticized a proposal to tighten eligibility requirements for a children's health program, and questioned Bush's upbeat fiscal outlook.

"The president's budget is filled with debt and deception, disconnected from reality, and continues to move America in the wrong direction," said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, a North Dakota Democrat.

In a proposal that rattled some investors on Wall Street, Bush also suggested cutting subsidies and fees collected by institutions that make college loans. The news caused lender Sallie Mae's (SLM.N: Quote, Profile , Research) stock price to slump nearly 9 percent by midday. (Additional reporting by David Lawder and Jim Wolf)

You're cat is cute, Kate.
I don't think that amnesty, which I oppose, will be more expensive than the current war of $ 661,9 billion. And this money will not end this war, I'm sure of that ! The money must be spend on Americans and not on the war. The debt was lower onder Bill, but Bush screwed it up. We Dems must always clean the mess the GOP leaves.

Thanks Cassie-she is cute.

I think you're sticking your head in the sand, Cassie, on the costs of amnesty. Robert Rector of the Heritage Foundation put out a report estimating the costs for the prior Senate 2611 amnesty bill. Calculations were estimated based on there being ~11 million illegal aliens who would have gotten amnesty. Entitlement and education costs for the illegal plus increased legal immigrants that were included in that bill were about $2 trillion. We know this is a gross underestimate as the true number of illegal aliens is probably 3-4 times this if you go by the Homeland Security border violence report put out last summer which stated that up to 10 million illegal aliens came into the US in just 2005.

Rectors's projections not only use the low-ball numbers, they also do not take into account the reality that millions more have come into the US since last year, as well as the possibility that the new McKennedy amnesty bill could give amnesty to all illegals, not just those who've been here a couple years, and will probably further increase legal immigration.

I think those who advocate for open borders and illegal immigrants should be the first to open their wallets and pocket books and start handing out the cash to provide for them. This should not be the responsibility of American taxpayers.

Originally Posted by Kate

I think you're sticking your head in the sand, Cassie, on the costs of amnesty. Robert Rector of the Heritage Foundation put out a report estimating the costs for the prior Senate 2611 amnesty bill. Calculations were estimated based on there being ~11 million illegal aliens who would have gotten amnesty. Entitlement and education costs for the illegal plus increased legal immigrants that were included in that bill were about $2 trillion.

2 trillion ???!!!!
How many zeros is that ????
I thought that illegal only send 25 billion home, and they already get benefits, didn't know those benefits were so expensive ?!!
Are you serious ??

Dixie, thanks for sharing the whole story

Originally Posted by cassie

Cassie writes: With the 661,9 billion, we could have subsidized health care, a fence along the border, our troops would be here and could be deployed along our Northern and Southern border, we could help our poor. But no, Halliburton and the Republicans wanted a war

Republicans blame Democrats for raising tax, but that's always better than wasting tax

Well, your Democrats are in complete control of the Congress now. Maybe it's time for them to actually do something instead of jawboning about passing non-binding resolutions.

Let me also point out that these same Democrats also voted to authorize this war. It's time for them to stop shooting their mouths off and do something.

2 trillion ???!!!!
How many zeros is that ????

Twelve zeros.

That's 1000 x $2 billion!

$2,000,000,000,000

Our current national debt is nearly $8.7 trillion.

Who do you think will end up paying for this?

Originally Posted by Kate

Twelve zeros.

That's 1000 x $2 billion!

$2,000,000,000,000

So, in other words :

2,000 x $ 1 billion ?

or

2,000,000 x 1,000,000 ??

This means if you're a millionair with $ 1 million,
we need 2 million persons who are millionaires to cover the cost for illegals ? Am I right ?!

Who do you think will end up paying for this?

Who do you think ? I have to pay it with my tax money !