Another $82 Billion and Still Treading Water in Iraq
President Bush yesterday asked American taxpayers for another $81.9 billion, all but a sliver of which will go to bankroll the war in Iraq. Members of Congress of both parties should and will support his request for the sake of our troops, who are under great pressure to quell the escalating violence in the country. But with reports of a "wild west" atmosphere in Iraq with dollars flowing freely and fraudulently and the total bill for the war over $200 billion, Americans deserve much greater accountability and oversight of how their tax dollars are being spent.
The election in Iraq was an important step forward. But at a cost of more than $200 billion, it is not enough for the president and his men to boast that "freedom is on the march." They must stop the spin and face up to the reality on the ground. The President must tell the American people what their $82 billion is buying – and how many more times they will come back to the well.
President Bush still owes our troops and the American people a plan. Billions of dollars are disappearing as our soldiers tread water. President Bush continues to insist that we will bring democracy to Iraq without offering a concrete plan for suppressing the insurgency, training Iraqi troops, and meeting the basic needs of the Iraqi people. Our $200+ billion has created a new breeding ground for terrorists, while and the end game in Iraq is far from clear.
And taxpayers deserve the straight story on how their dollars are being spent. This White House, in keeping with its record of consistently misleading the public about the realities in Iraq, continues to play budgetary games. The people and Congress have the right to know how many more $82 billion checks we must sign. This is a time for taking responsibility and straight talk about what comes next in Iraq. At more than $200 billion with no end in sight, the White House owes the American people more than one election and empty promises.
The election in Iraq was an important step forward. But at a cost of more than $200 billion, it is not enough for the president and his men to boast that "freedom is on the march." They must stop the spin and face up to the reality on the ground. The President must tell the American people what their $82 billion is buying – and how many more times they will come back to the well.
President Bush still owes our troops and the American people a plan. Billions of dollars are disappearing as our soldiers tread water. President Bush continues to insist that we will bring democracy to Iraq without offering a concrete plan for suppressing the insurgency, training Iraqi troops, and meeting the basic needs of the Iraqi people. Our $200+ billion has created a new breeding ground for terrorists, while and the end game in Iraq is far from clear.
And taxpayers deserve the straight story on how their dollars are being spent. This White House, in keeping with its record of consistently misleading the public about the realities in Iraq, continues to play budgetary games. The people and Congress have the right to know how many more $82 billion checks we must sign. This is a time for taking responsibility and straight talk about what comes next in Iraq. At more than $200 billion with no end in sight, the White House owes the American people more than one election and empty promises.
