Officials: No Iraq price tag for now White House cites several unknowns

[cthrumatrix]

Officials: No Iraq price tag for now White House cites several unknowns
By Laurence McQuillan
USA TODAY


WASHINGTON -- Despite increasing demands from Congress for details of the costs of postwar Iraq, the Bush administration is likely to wait two months before submitting its first rebuilding estimate, administration officials say.

Internal estimates for rebuilding Iraq put the price for the coming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, between $40 billion and $60 billion, according to two administration officials. That would be in addition to the cost of keeping U.S. military forces there -- currently about $3.9 billion a month.

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A White House official likens the decision to wait until after the meeting to a poker game: You want to see what others ante before showing your hand.

Administration officials, speaking on the condition that they not be identified, say they believe adequate funding is available for Iraq through December. Presenting the funding request in November gives Congress a limited amount of time to debate before acting

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http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030903/5464213s.htm

If this were a game of poker.... it's time we called AWOL on his hand.

[teryang]

1. Cost of colony 110 billion plus per year

Looks like the 750 billion - 1 trillion dollar estimates for total colonization were on the mark.

[Paschall]

2. And none of this was included in the deficit estimate

So rather than $480 billion next year, the deficit will be nearer $600 billion. Also as predicted by sideline observers.

[shirlden]

3. Stupid question below

How are we going to fund this war? By borrowing, I know. But, how good is our credit going to remain as we get deeper and deeper in debt? Think about it. Would you keep buying American debt certificates ? Even the WMF is questioning our financial non-policy.

One other stupid question......what do the RW cons gain by bankrupting the US gov ?