Wednesday, April 21, 2004

Mo Money

I just want to add to the post below about the spending on the Iraq war. Assuming we're not just going to pull out (which, no matter what the merits of that idea isn't likely to happen before the next round of spending happens), as many of you have said it's absolutely vital for the Democrats to get out in front of this issue. They need to propose some supplemental spending before Bush pulls it out of his back pocket when it's "almost too late." If that happens, the Democrats will once again be beaten over the head with the "support the troops you America-haters" stick and end up swallowing yet another spending bill with few conditions and zero congressional oversight.

They need to get out in front on the spending and the strategy in a positive, constructive fashion. Or, this totally corrupt enterprise is just going to continue...

Remember, from Nightline 4/23/03:

[01]03:39:36 ANDREW NATSIOS, AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Well, in terms of the American taxpayers contribution, I do, this is it for the US. The rest of the rebuilding of Iraq will be done by other countries who have already made pledges, Britain, Germany, Norway, Japan, Canada, and Iraqi oil revenues, eventually in several years, when it's up and running and there's a new government that's been democratically elected, will finish the job with their own revenues. They're going to get in $20 billion a year in oil revenues. But the American part of this will be 1.7 billion. We have no plans for any further-on funding for this.