Hope You Enjoy That New Car
'Hidden Costs' Double Price Of Two Wars, Democrats Say
By Josh White
Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, November 13, 2007; Page A14
The economic costs to the United States of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan so far total approximately $1.5 trillion, according to a new study by congressional Democrats that estimates the conflicts' "hidden costs"-- including higher oil prices, the expense of treating wounded veterans and interest payments on the money borrowed to pay for the wars.
That amount is nearly double the $804 billion the White House has spent or requested to wage these wars through 2008, according to the Democratic staff of Congress's Joint Economic Committee. Its report, titled "The Hidden Costs of the Iraq War," estimates that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have thus far cost the average U.S. family of four more than $20,000.
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Two-door or four-door, coupe or convertible we've all bought and paid for something that returned very little for the buck.
Oh sure, there's the hatred of the world and a new central training grounds for terrorism. Throw in a collapsed dollar and oil at three times the cost before that war-- but other than that, where are the benefits.
We are less safe, less liked, less understood and more poor.
What a deal--and it's only just begun.
* For more in-depth articles by Jim on Iraq War, check out Opinion-Columns.com