edthecynic
Censored for Cynicism
- Oct 20, 2008
- 43,044
- 6,883
The problem with your rationalization is there is more than just "direct" spending, although the additional spending is "directly" related to the wars. Specifically the long term spending on the nearly 51,000 injured vets from both wars! When you add in estimates for that you are over $2 trillion.The additional debt is not ALL the fault of previous presidents and congresses. But when THEY committed the U.S. to financial obligations, they bear some responsibility for later administrations and congresses honoring those commitments.Nobody is denying Bush spent too much. But to suggest that the nearly $5.6 trillion of additional debt piled on since the end of FY2009 is the fault of past presidents is beyond ridiculous.
For example - could Obama just immediately turn off the faucet on Iraq or Afghanistan?.
Setting aside the fact that the cost of those wars are PITTANCE compared to the overall budget for the DOD (about 20% of the federal budget)...not to mention the FAR higher amount spent on entitlements, the answer is "yes". As the commander-in-chief of the military, Obama has the power to 'turn off the faucet' on Iraq and Afghanistan. But as we know, he INCREASED the number of troops in Afghanistan quite dramatically. So let's not suggest the cost of those wars are all on Bush, because we know that's not the case.
Again, a drop in the bucket:I think he's clear on what we would have had to spend if he had elected to withdraw as quickly as possible. His decision NOT to do that - puts him and that congress on the hook for what we've spent in those places above and beyond that quick withdrawal level.
Just MHO
For example, the the FY2001-FY2013, all direct spending on the Afghan war reached $641.7 billion, of which $198.2 billion or over 30% will be spent in FY2012 and FY2013.
http://csis.org/files/publication/120515_US_Spending_Afghan_War_SIGAR.pdf
The DOD ANNUAL budget? Well over $500 Billion.
http://[url=http://www.washingtonpo...?s staggering defense budget, in charts[/url]America?s staggering defense budget, in charts