Tsunami vs. War
Frank Boosman calculates how long the money given by the US government would last if it went to fund the war and reconstruction of Iraq.
According to this story in the Chicago Sun-Times, the war in Iraq has cost $130 billion to date (per the Office of Management and Budget). Given that we invaded Iraq 20 March 2003, that comes to 656 days since the invasion, which in turn equals $198,730,732 per day.
In other words, the total amount committed by the US government to date for tsunami relief — $350,000,000 — equals 42.27 hours of the cost of the war in Iraq. Just to put things in perspective.
pseudorandom: When Does $350 Million Equal 42 Hours?
I feel that there is a point to this comparison, but I’m not seeing it.
The money in Iraq was used to provide something beneficial to Americans (security). The money given to tsunami victims gets… what? Rob says that it could “maybe win over a few hearts and minds” and strengthen our trade relationships, which is plausible, but is that really comparable with using taxpayer funds to make America safer? Protecting America from attackers is job number one, and a valid use of taxpayer funds. Promoting a positive image of America around the world doesn’t even make the top 10.
And just to save some time: to all those who would deny that killing terrorists and their supporters in Iraq and destroying part of their network will make us safer… come up with a better idea for stopping terrorists (one that doesn’t involve magic, “magick,” Care Bears, prayer, socialism, conversion to Islam or luck.)
