http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:BZmYq8C7ufsJ:www.minnesotademocratsexposed.com/2006/04/mde-from-archives-obama-calls-for-end.html+Missile+Defence+Shield+Obama+cost&hl=no&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=noThe national missile defense system's "Star Wars" program is a "boondoggle and unmitigated failure," says Illinois Sen. Barack Obama (D-13th), who challenged his congressional foe, Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-1st) to help him in ending its funding.
"Congress has spent 100 billion over the last 15 years developing Ronald Reagan's Star Wars plan," Obama said. "The latest test, at a cost of 100 million, shows that this system is an expensive political boondoggle."
With the White House prepared to spend 13 billion over a span of five years if there are two successful tests of the anti-ballistic system, Obama said the cost is prohibitive.
Obama challenged Rush to join him in opposing any more Star Wars appropriations "in the next century and to build an infrastructure for peace instead of more tools for war."
When contacted, Maudlyne Ihejirika, a spokesperson for Rush, said: "Cong.
Rush has voted against wasteful spending by the Defense Department for the past seven years and he'll continue to oppose such spending. We welcome Mr. Obama joining us in this position."
Obama pointed to recent General Accounting Office (GAO) estimates claiming the price tag of 100 missile interceptors would cost taxpayers 28 billion even though he claims most scientists say these tests would not work in a real attack situation.
Obama praised University of Chicago professor Michael C. Dawson, who chairs the Department of Political Science, for agreeing with his assessment.
"The Star Wars program is the greatest threat to international arms control agreements and has the potential to spark a new arms race that the U.S., China, and Russia can ill afford," Dawson warned.
"Russia has promised to abandon its arm control commitments and China will accelerate its missile building effort if the U.S. proceeds with the creation of an anti-ballistic system."
Obama said the 13 billion cost for the project is a little more than the cost of the Illinois FIRST infrastructure program.
"The total cost of the Star Wars program, over 100 billion, could have been used to expand health insurance to 44 million uninsured Americans, reduce class size at schools across the nation, or stimulate economic development in distressed communities throughout the country," Obama said. Source: Chicago Defender, January 31, 2000
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