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November 29, 2006
The Proper way to "Cut and Run" from Iraq
By Richard Skidmore
First we must estimate the cost of maintaining this war for the next two years as Mr. Bush is inclined to do if left to his own devices.
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The Proper way To "Cut and Run" from Iraq First we must estimate the cost of maintaining this war for the next two years as Mr. Bush is inclined to do if left to his own devices. At 7:08:33pm on November 19th, the cost- to that moment- for the Bush/Cheney Iraq War was $343,656.456,380.00 from Congressional appropriations over the 44 months from March 19, 2003. This results in approximately $7,954,545,000 per month, or $194,886,360,000 for the about 25 months left in Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney's term of office. Since the current administration believes that those funds can be afforded for prosecuting war in Iraq, I propose we use those same monies to promote peace and attempt to repair the damage we've wrought. The money would be appropriated by Congress and placed in an escrow account in obvious guarantee of its availability. The US would announce that the funds would be for rebuilding Iraq after an orderly US military withdrawal, and made available only to Iraqi firms- and international firms who employ Iraqis at a fair wage. There would be neutral international administrators in place to monitor contracts and authorize payments based on verified progress. All areas of the country would receive funds on an equal per-capita basis, with at minimum, restoration, or installation of all public services. The funds would only be dispersed after US withdrawal, and phased-in as violence subsides. A hierarchy of need, as established by the Iraqi people through polling, and ratified by the Iraqi government, would guide the rebuilding process. During the withdrawal of troops, this plan provides incentive for the people of Iraq to advocate from within for the cessation of violence, and gives the central government a benevolent role advocating for the needs of the nation. The scope of the project, the jobs, insures (as long as no factions are excluded) that stability is in everyone's interest.