By the end of the next fiscal year, one half a trillion dollars will be appropriated for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, with a great majority of the funding attributed to the war in Iraq.
From fiscal year '04 until FY06 the cost of our war efforts has increased 72%.
Most of the increases were attributed to Operations and Maintenance costs which jumped from $42.7 billion in FY04 to $60.9 billion in FY06.
Procurement costs have increased from $7.2 billion to $24.4 billion.
The war in Iraq is chewing up our military equipment, requiring the equipment to be replaced, rebuilt or refurbished.
Purchase of spare parts has increased substantially.
The War has put a huge strain on the military's ability to recruit and retain. The military personnel accounts have increased substantially. Some of our service members are being paid as much as $150,000 to re-enlist. When they re-enlist in Iraq, the bonus payment is tax-free.
Much of the work historically performed by the military has been contracted out in Iraq at a significantly higher price tag.
The cost of fuel has also added to the surge in costs. Did you know that fuel costs have doubled at the pump since the beginning of the war?
A half a trillion dollars and climbing!
And with all of that money spent we still can't buy a victory!
You homework for today is to imagine how much good could have been done in this country and around the world for half a trillion dollars. It staggers the mind!
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It just goes directly to their thighs.