New Bush Request for Iraq Funds May Flop

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030904/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq_spending&cid=512&ncid=1480

WASHINGTON - Louder cries to seek foreign help, bigger federal deficits at home and the approach of next year's elections could complicate Congress' work on President Bush's next request for billions for U.S. activities in Iraq.

The Bush administration is considering asking lawmakers for $60 billion to $70 billion for the costs of U.S. military operations in Iraq and for rebuilding the shattered country, lawmakers and congressional aides said this week.

Final decisions have not been made and the figures could change, but Bush could formally request the funds next week, said officials speaking on condition of anonymity.

"I have not yet decided on a number because I have yet to hear" from the Office of Management and Budget, Iraqi administrator Paul Bremer or the Pentagon, Bush said Thursday evening on CNBC.

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[gratuitous]

1. Reuters says it's in the bag (so to speak)

There's another thread with a link to a Reuters story that says the appropriation is all wrapped up and Congress is just putting a nice fat bow on it. I wonder which story is correct? I hope it's this one.

[Cha]

2. Here's a disingenous statement from ol' scott mcginnis of..

Colo...

"It's like your building is half built, and the contractor comes in and says that to finish the building and put the roof on, it's going to cost a lot more," said Rep. Scott McInnis (news, bio, voting record), R-Colo., a stalwart Bush supporter. "What's your choice? You've got to put the roof on."

But the contractor bombed the Shit out of the "building" in the First Place!

[gratuitous]

4. Extend the analogy Scott

"And then, every night, the contractor hires his drunken buddies to go at the building with sledgehammers undoing whatever was accomplished the day before. Then, the contractor tells you that the price of 2x4s has gone up overnight, so you have to pay $800 for what you were getting just last week for $500. What's your choice? You've got to build the building!"

Or hire a new contractor, Scotty boy. Regime change begins at home, doofus.

[htuttle]

5. You're right

If a contractor suddenly told me that they'd forgotten to include the cost of the ROOF in the estimate, I'd fire them and get a new contractor.

[teknomanzer]

6. Not only that...

I would sue the son of a bitch.

It is god damned extortion.

[BadGimp]

3. Kusinich said it best...

He can have his $60billion only if the American people get the same amount.

$60billion would go along way to wiping out the state deficits Bush has helped to create .. for examplke.

Think of the Jobs program that would fund.