Democrats gun for Bush and his $87 billion (CSM)

[Nambe]

The Christian Science Monitor

Backed by new polls showing a wary public, Democrats are launching a multifront battle over President Bush's $87 billion request for troop support and reconstruction funding in Iraq.

No one doubts that the package will ultimately pass. Even Democrats who once opposed the war now say that American troops deserve full support from Congress - in some cases even more than the White House wants. ---

Dr. Sabato says: "Most Americans now think the war wasn't worth it. They think the deaths were pointless. This is a stunning turnaround, and it's an accumulation of all this information that the public has gathered - that there were not weapons of mass destruction , that we're getting bogged down in a guerrilla war, plus the $87 billion we can't afford, that has turned a plurality against the war."

Democrats aim to use the debate over how to pay for that war to focus a bright light on all these concerns, as well as on the competence of the Bush administration to deal with them. Even before the president sent details of his proposal to Congress on Wednesday, members were floating ideas on how to respond to it. With many members of Congress rushing to airports in advance of hurricane Isabel, it was not clear which approach enjoyed the most support.

[Wetzelbill]

1. uh...Bring 'Em On?

[Hotdiggitydog]

7. They need to take a close look at it....

So what, about $60 Billion is for the war in Iraq. And, we have 140,000 soldiers over there. So, it costs well over $400,000 for each and EVERY soldier over there???????

I know its expensive, but Jesus Christ almighty, it shouldn't be that expensive for every one of our troops. I want to support them but, to me, it just doesn't seem like we are getting very much bang for our buck. I bet the soldiers could get better equipment, better treatment, better food and a few more creature comforts for that kind of cash. ...or could it be that a bunch of that money is planned to be diverted to other uses - like lining the pockets of Dick Cheney and his best thousand friends.

[newyawker99]

13. Hi Hotdiggitydog!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[hang a left]

2. Yes, let us all take a real close look

at where the money has gone that has been given already, and a breakdown of where the new money will go, shall we.

[jimshoes]

3. I agree!

Let's have a look at some of those expenditures. In fact all of them. It's our money.

[InkAddict]

11. Oops, what, no auditable paper trail

Guess they must have used a reputable "courier" system with a hyphenated name listed first in the Yellow Pages under "A" or got free mentoring from some consultant at an Arthur Anderson client site?

And you mean to tell me the GAO only thought they saw some pretty suspicious VISA charges like breast implants for a servicewoman?

[Nlighten1]

4. But...but...but...don't forget 9-11!

just forget that we said Saddam had anything to do with 9-11.

[R Hickey]

5. Steal a billion here, steal a billion there...

...after a while it adds up to real money.

The Bushovics are Enronizing America.

[wabeewoman]

6. If they think the war wasn't worth it

lets shine some light on where the money is going. Like how the soldiers don't have enough bullet proof vests, how they had insuffient water, no hot showers, no repair parts, and on and on while Hilburton(and other bush cronies) got millions and we bribed those countries who are sending troops. AND the democrats need to demand that bush bring in the UN even if he has to turn all of the control over and can't reap any oil from the war. Don't let him profit from his war....

[are_we_united_yet]

8. Hey * Administration, maybe you should have

listened to that focus group after all.

[creativelcro]

9. AND ...

... AND THAT THERE WAS NO LINK BETWEEN IRAQ AND 9/11 -CV

[Manix]

10. Don't forget Halliburton want's its share!

...oink...oink

[Booster]

12. Does it bother anyone else....

that all that cash found in Iraq was American money? Someone said that they would have American money because their own money is almost useless, but hasn't the Euro been up over the American dollar for some time now? So why wouldn't Saddam have Euros instead of dollars? I'm thinking this could have been the money Poppy gave him years ago. Am I totally off?

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

14. I guess they're attacking the 87B because Rush & Hannity have

informed the world that no WMD is old news and not important.

[cliss]

15. I NEVER thought this war was worth it.

I recall the "proud patriots" parading around the office with their flag shirts, little flags on their cubicle, even flag bandanna on one employee's dog. One manager has a huge belly, and it was ridiculous to watch him stagger around in his American flag shirt with the red & white stripes stretched across his stomach, and there were gaps by the buttonholes.

The rest of us who weren't so sure, went back quietly to work. The tune has REALLY changed recently. The same little gal with the dog-bandanna is now sending forwarded messages about how incompetent Bush really is.

I attribute this DIRECTLY to the democrats, and their unrelenting, nonstop pressure on Bushco. These criminals simply folded because they couldn't take the pressure. Now they're in a state of disarray. It's only a matter of time. They're finished.