Spending $780 billion on a stimulus bill, the speaker said, was
fiscally irresponsible. But let's look at some other numbers. The
projected deficit in U.S. spending for 2009 is $490 billion.
The cost of the war in Iraq, to date, is almost $665 billion. The cost
of the war in Afghanistan, to date, is $187 billion. We have spent $850
billion (more than the stimulus to date) on two wars that have resolved
nothing and one of which was trumped up.
When talking about responsible and irresponsible spending, it's far too
easy to shout "tax and spend" without taking a look at where taxpayer
dollars are really going. At least portions of the stimulus will be
paid back with actual dollars or ownership percentages or dividends.
Money spent on trumped up wars will yield no return on the investment
ever. In terms of a threat to U.S. safety, Iraq is no less dangerous
today than it was prior to our invasion in 2003. Afghanistan is more
dangerous than it was in 2001 and now Pakistan is similarly
destabilized. Can't argue that that was money well spent.
Those who would castigate the current administration for profligate
spending would be wise to examine the policies of the previous
administration and the spending that resulted from them.
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