No More Blank Check for Iraq

Here we go again.

George Bush is up to his old tricks on funding the war. At the last minute, he’s asking for an additional $196 billion in emergency spending for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He insists that Congress grant the money immediately. If not, he warns, they will be putting the lives of our troops in danger … When, of course, he’s the one who put their lives in danger by sending them to Iraq in the first place.

Before giving George Bush one more dime for Iraq, Congress should remember:

1. This brings the total cost of the war to $610 billion — more than 10 times what President Bush originally said the war would cost.

2. $196 billion is $46 billion more than the $150 billion Bush requested earlier this year.

3. George Bush wants $46 billion extra to protect Iraqi citizens — three weeks after saying we couldn’t afford $35 billion for healthcare for American kids.

4. He offers no plan to pay for $196 billion. Instead, he would borrow all the money — adding $196 billion to an already obscene budget deficit.

Isn’t it obvious by now? This is a bottomless pit. We can’t keep pouring good money after bad. Iraq is no longer worth the cost in lives or dollars.

There’s only one way to stop the war in Iraq: Turn off the spending spigot … Now!