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Yes, in a worst-case scenario, the impending war
of aggression against Iraq could be very expensive; but, unlike wars against
most countries, this war could pay its way: just make the hand-picked
pro-American replacement regime pay reparations (fully deserved since they have
the unmitigated gall to defend themselves against foreign attack--who do they
think they are?), which could be funded with revenue earned by oil
exports. If all wars could be self-funding like this one, we'd have a lot
more of them. I hear the word going around in Israel and certain US State
Department circles is that Iran will be our next conquest after Iraq--do they
have enough oil left to pay for a war, too? If not, maybe Iraq could pay for
both wars.
~Alypius Skinner
Friday, Dec. 6, 2002
$2 Trillion to Fight Iraq? War with Iraq could cost U.S. taxpayers almost as much as the
government spent in the last budget year, nearly $2 trillion, according to an
organization of academics.
A study by American Academy of Arts and Sciences estimated costs would range
from $99 billion to more than $1.9 trillion over a decade.
The lower figure assumes a successful military, diplomatic and
nation-building campaign. The higher figure accounts for a prolonged war,
disruption of oil markets and a U.S. recession.
Both figures assume involvement in Iraq for a decade.
White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said it was premature to comment on
costs, the Associated Press reported today.
"War is the last resort," he said. "We're hoping for a peaceful solution."
The 1991 Persian Gulf War cost America an estimated $61 billion, though
allies reimbursed all but about $7 billion. By some accounting methods, the
United States might have even made a profit, according to AP.
The report, titled "War With Iraq: Costs, Consequences and Alternatives,"
cautioned that the estimates should be "regarded as informed conjecture."
American Academy of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1780 and located in
Cambridge, Mass., describes itself as an international society of scientists,
scholars, artists, business people and political leaders. Among its inductees in
October: National Public Radio leftist Daniel Schorr and Sen. Ted Kennedy,
D-Mass. |
