Bush plea for cash to rebuild Iraq raises $600

[Dissipate]

Bush plea for cash to rebuild Iraq raises $600

Mark Townsend in Houston
Sunday September 25, 2005
The Observer

An extraordinary appeal to Americans from the Bush administration for money to help pay for the reconstruction of Iraq has raised only $600 (£337), The Observer has learnt. Yet since the appeal was launched earlier this month, donations to rebuild New Orleans have attracted hundreds of millions of dollars.

The public's reluctance to contribute much more than the cost of two iPods to the administration's attempt to offer citizens 'a further stake in building a free and prosperous Iraq' has been seized on by critics as evidence of growing ambivalence over that country.

This coincides with concern over the increasing cost of the war. More than $30 billion has been appropriated for the reconstruction. Initially, America's overseas aid agency, USaid, expected it to cost taxpayers no more than $1.7bn, but it is now asking the public if they want to contribute even more.

It is understood to be the first time that a US government has made an appeal to taxpayers for foreign aid money. Contributors have no way of knowing who will receive their donations or even where they may go, after officials said details had be kept secret for security reasons.

USaid's Heather Layman denied it was disappointed with the meagre sum raised after a fortnight. 'Every little helps,' she said.

In the past 12 months, Americans raised some $250bn for charity, including other foreign causes such as the Asian tsunami victims. Layman said: 'There is no financial goal. People are looking for a way to help rebuild Iraq and this is a way to facilitate that.'

The fundraising comes amid concern that some US projects in Iraq will be scrapped or only partly completed because of rising costs. Some officials fear that money may run out before key projects are completed.

Last week, the number of US troops killed in Iraq rose above 1,900.

Only $600?! That is totally unacceptable. I guess it is time to bring in the extortionists.

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[Strk]

Maybe he should ask Daddy and Uncle Bill to go around and ask for money?

 

[Engineer]

I've noticed a big push by Bush lately to private individuals to raise money and help for all projtect. I wonder if the fiscal conservatives in DC (assuming there are a few) are starting to weigh in on the ole bastard and his stupid spending sprees.

 

[conjur]

I'm sure ol' Wolfie boy has lots to give. I mean, it was Wolfie that said Iraq's oil revenues would pay for reconstruction.

 

[glugglug]

I wonder what the thinking was of the person(s) who contributed the $600. Maybe it was a bribe.

 

[catnap1972]

Give them a little credit--it's not easy for the righties to find a fortune in change under mom's couch cushions! 😀