How about showing the FEDERAL Government Tables instead of those including State Government?
US Federal Government Expenditure
And how about a closer look at those Defence figures, instead of a summary showing that 'The Gulf' is costing $344Billion, which is crap.
US Defence Budget 2001-2002
Of course that means the overall spending has increased by only $33Billion over the year before, a lot of money I'll agree...however a lot less than the $344Billion originaly claimed.
Now, how about adding inflation into the figures?
You may find that in REAL terms, its a lot less than $33Billion increase in spending over 2001.
However, remember that we are now entering 1st quarter of 2003 (assuming that your Financial Year is the same as UK's (6th April - 5th April)) and the war is still ongoing.
I think you forget, most economical costs involved are recoverable from normal expenses. Wages still have to be paid whether you are at war or not. Exercises involving Live Firing are ongoing, whether at war or not (just not on as large a scale). Savings are made where the troops are not now stationed, as they are in the field.
Then there are the economical benefits: eg most of the rebuilding work will be given to US firms (paid for by Iraqi oil), The Hollywood films that will now be made (bringing in $100millions from the rest of the world as they flock to the cinema), The fact that 'Gasoline' will be cheaper for a few more years....and the knock on benefits to business'....
The REAL cost of war are 'intangibles', not covered in the 'economics' of the war itself......ie The cost of a human life, the cost of an injury, the cost of looking after the injured that are then 'demobbed' because of their injuries.
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