Senator Trent Lott was on Hardball with Chris Matthews tonight. He was asked about the cost of the invasion, occupation and reconstruction of Iraq. Chris Matthews asked Lott directly whether any of the reasons given by Bush and the ideologues responsible for the invasion have been proven. The WMD. The ties to 9/11. The terrorist connections. The imminent threat Iraq posed.
Lott was unable to give an answer.
When asked about the projected costs Lott was unable to give an answer.
When asked about the idea floated by Bush that the reconstruction of Iraq would be paid for by Iraqi oil sales Lott was unable to give an answer.
When asked how the US will pay for the Iraq invasion Lott was unable to give an answer.
Let's talk about the economics of this venture.
The US is currently spending $4 billion per month in Iraq. The US has appropriated $70 billion on top of the monthly costs. Paul Bremer said today the money appropriated so far is gone and the US will need to make another appropriation now to keep rebuilding Iraq.
We are facing an estimated $480 billion deficit for 2004. This figure is from the Congressional Budget Office. It does not include the cost of the Iraq invasion.
How are US taxpayers supposed to pay for rebuilding Iraq? Senator Lott said we must rebuild their economy. Are we to rebuild Iraq's economy at the price of our economy?
Lott was unable to give an answer.
When asked about the projected costs Lott was unable to give an answer.
When asked about the idea floated by Bush that the reconstruction of Iraq would be paid for by Iraqi oil sales Lott was unable to give an answer.
When asked how the US will pay for the Iraq invasion Lott was unable to give an answer.
Let's talk about the economics of this venture.
The US is currently spending $4 billion per month in Iraq. The US has appropriated $70 billion on top of the monthly costs. Paul Bremer said today the money appropriated so far is gone and the US will need to make another appropriation now to keep rebuilding Iraq.
We are facing an estimated $480 billion deficit for 2004. This figure is from the Congressional Budget Office. It does not include the cost of the Iraq invasion.
How are US taxpayers supposed to pay for rebuilding Iraq? Senator Lott said we must rebuild their economy. Are we to rebuild Iraq's economy at the price of our economy?