[eDebate] costs of removing saddam

[Jake Stromboli]

costs are higher than advertised.   here's a comprehensive assessment:

http://www.iraqometer.com/

some economists say cost could hit $1 trillion in 3 years

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11880954

"One thing is certain about the Iraq war: It has cost a lot more than 
advertised. In fact, the tab grows by at least $200 million each and every 
day.

In the months leading up to the launch of the war three years ago, few Bush 
administration officials were willing to comment publicly on the potential 
costs to the United States. After all, no cost would have been too high if 
the United States faced an imminent threat from an Iraq armed with weapons 
of mass destruction, the war's stated justification.

In fact, the economic ramifications are rarely included in the debate over 
whether to go to war, although some economists argue it is quite possible 
and useful to assess potential costs and benefits.

In any event, most estimates put forward by White House officials in 2002 
and 2003 were relatively low compared with the nation's gross domestic 
product, the size of the federal budget or the cost of past wars.

White House economic adviser Lawrence Lindsey was the exception to the rule, 
offering an "upper bound" estimate of $100 billion to $200 billion in a 
September 2002 interview with The Wall Street Journal. That figure raised 
eyebrows at the time, although Lindsey argued the cost was small, adding, 
"The successful prosecution of the war would be good for the economy.”

U.S. direct spending on the war in Iraq already has surpassed the upper 
bound of Lindsey's upper bound, and most economists attribute billions more 
in indirect costs to the war effort. Even if the U.S. exits Iraq within 
another three years, total direct and indirect costs to U.S. taxpayers will 
likely by more than $400 billion, and one estimate puts the total economic 
impact at up to $2 trillion."

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