Obviously there are lives lost in war and these are very tangible losses to friends and family. But reciently I brought up the perspective that what if this war was actually thought more of a business venture. That the US government were the Board of directors or CEO, and the American tax payers were the shareholders. How long would this venture provide value? What are the benefits? Are we safer? Short/quick lines for public transport a lost convenience for safety? Is our military being taken care of, on and off the battle field? Do the people outside the US perceive us as a better country? Are we a better country now?
In terms of costs, it’s been reciently told that this war will cost the US tax payers 3 Trillion dollars (it’s at 2 Trillion now). I can hardly grasp how much that actually is. The actual costs of the war have gone through little scrutiny as the Bush administration has appropriated funds via “emergency” funding processes that bypass normal process and rebuttal.
Read this NYTime op-ed – The $2 Trillion Nightmare:
Mr. Hormats: “Normally, when America goes to war, nonessential spending programs are reduced to make room in the budget for the higher costs of the war. Individual programs that benefit specific constituencies are sacrificed for the common good … And taxes have never been cut during a major American war. For example, President Eisenhower adamantly resisted pressure from Senate Republicans for a tax cut during the Korean War.â€
Said Mr. Stiglitz: “Because the administration actually cut taxes as we went to war, when we were already running huge deficits, this war has, effectively, been entirely financed by deficits. The national debt has increased by some $2.5 trillion since the beginning of the war, and of this, almost $1 trillion is due directly to the war itself … By 2017, we estimate that the national debt will have increased, just because of the war, by some $2 trillion.â€
Certainly by personal experience, I know that I can’t survive by spending more and not increasing my income when I’m already in debt. Eventually my ability to purchase new items and services becomes crippled. As a corporation, I would feel that this practice has run its course and it’s time to cut your losses. The general term heard often is throwing good money after bad or psychologically speaking Irrational Escalation. For what will this war and resulting debt lead our country into. Will Americans be able to afford themselves the basic necessities like fuel and goods that are all outsourced? This remains to be scene but if the progression of our economy already into a recession is a clue for anything, we aren’t in for a good path.
By Kevin Tillman