$251 Billion. That is the cost that the
National Priorities Project estimates the Iraq War will cost by March 31, 2006.
From the NPP:
In October 2005, a report published by the [nonpartisan] Congressional Research Service (CRS) concluded that $251 billion had been obligated or appropriated for the Iraq War. The research was based not just on Congressional appropriations, but on the Department of Defense's (DOD) DFAS monthly obligations reports. The researcher also concluded that as war-related expenses were higher than anticipated, the DOD transferred money from peacetime funds (which they were permitted to do under certain circumstances as outlined in appropriations legislation). The DOD also transferred funds appropriated for Afghanistan or general war to the Iraq War.
So what can this $251 Billion buy? More on the flip.
This $251 Billion may even be a bit conservative:
The numbers include military operations, reconstruction and other spending related to the Iraq invasion and occupation. Spending only includes "incremental" costs, additional funds that are expended due to the war. For example, soldiers' regular pay is not included, but combat pay is included. Potential future costs, such as future health care for soldiers and veterans wounded in the war, are not included. It is also not clear whether the current funding will cover all military wear and tear. It also does not account for the contribution of war spending to the deficits incurred in the federal budget. In other words, [the NPP] has not included the cost of interest on the debt.
This is all well and good, but what could this $251 Billion bought? How much of our families and children's future have been burned on the pyre of the lie that is the Iraq War? Prepare to be righteously infuriated:
31,978,780 children to attend a year of Head Start, or
144,574,775 children could have health insurance for one year, or
4,184,184 additional public school teachers for one year, or
11,704,484 four-year scholarships at public universities, or
2,173,942 additional affordable housing units, or
10 years of fully funded global hunger efforts, or
24 years of fully funded global AIDS programs, or
80 years of basic immunizations for every child in the world.
Puts it all into perspective, don't it?