So, how many tax payers are there in the US anyway?

[MOBIUS]

Just wondering because according to the Times:
'Spending a fortune and gambling on good luck'

About $380 billion has been spent on Iraq, and Congress has already approved $70 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan in the 2007 financial year (which ends in September). Bush is asking for a further $93.4 billion for this year, and $141.7 billion for 2008 (more than $300 billion on war for the two years). But in 2009 war costs are projected to drop to $50 billion and to zero after that.

On current spending the US is projected to have spent $730bn by 2009 which equates to:

$2,433

For every man, woman and child in the US...

Now, of course children aren't expected to pay tax. Not to mention the unemployed people and pensioners who either pay nothing or a reduced amount, etc...

Which makes me wonder what the true cost is to every taxpayer in the country?

Must really suck if you are anti-war and living in the US!

I also note that according to this, Dubya expects to completely 'bug out' of Iraq and afghanistan by 2009...

Finally I have to say I remember making modest predictions a few years back about the costs of these wars and was ridiculed by the chickenhawks - despite the fact that now it seems my predictions were woeful underestimates of the reality!

[Dauphin]

Now, of course children aren't expected to pay tax. Not to mention the unemployed people and pensioners who either pay nothing or a reduced amount, etc...

You haven't factored in corporation tax. Evil corporations will be paying their taxes too.

[b etor]

i pay no taxes. my dad does tho.

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by b etor
i pay no taxes. my dad does tho.

There's a chance you will before all this is over, though.

[MOBIUS]

I think it's a virtual certainty...

[Zkribbler]

Now, of course children aren't expected to pay tax.

Wrong! That's the whole idea of deficit spending. We don't pay for this war. It'll be paid for by our children and grandchildren...plus interest.

[MOBIUS]

Yep, those kids are paying with huge cuts in their education proposed by Bush (see Times article) to pay for this illegal war...

The pensioners will pay with cuts to Medicare.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1335424.ece

The proposed increase will take the total cost of Mr Bush’s wars since September 11, 2001, to almost $750 billion which — even when prices are adjusted for inflation — exceeds that spent by the US in Vietnam over a much longer period. Before the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, officials promised that war costs would be limited to $100 billion.

[Spec]

And this is news because....?

Spec.

[Patroklos]

Which makes me wonder what the true cost is to every taxpayer in the country?

Joe and Jane taxpayer are not the only sources of tax revenue, ie corporate taxes.

Must really suck if you are anti-war and living in the US!

Not as much as if you are anti buy old people drugs for no good reason, or any other host of government programs that cost far more that you may are may not agree with.

[MOBIUS]

Yeah, I guess it is common knowledge that the US has been run by a ****** for the last few years...

[Patroklos]

even when prices are adjusted for inflation — exceeds that spent by the US in Vietnam over a much longer period.

I suppose the trade off is 25 times less casualties than Vietnam. Oh yeah, but the two are one in the same right?

The pensioners will pay with cuts to Medicare.

Which amounts to one percent of the program over 2 years. Even without a war that program needs to be cut far more.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Patroklos


Joe and Jane taxpayer are not the only sources of tax revenue, ie corporate taxes.

Corporate taxes only make up ~15% of federal tax revenues in US (and similar in Canada)

The bulk of taxes are paid by individuals.

[MOBIUS]

Originally posted by Patroklos
I suppose the trade off is 25 times less casualties than Vietnam. Oh yeah, but the two are one in the same right?

Who mentioned anything about the 26,000+ casualties suffered in this illegal and pointless war? Oh yes, the reading comprehension ****** called Patroklos...

Wasn't this stupid war was supposed to protect Americans from terror - not put thousands more into harm's way? Answer me that numbnuts...

Which amounts to one percent of the program over 2 years. Even without a war that program needs to be cut far more.

Maybe if Bush gets enough soldiers killed overseas, he'll be able to cut medicare even more because those dead soldiers won't be needing it in the future?

[Patroklos]

when prices are adjusted for inflation — exceeds that spent by the US in Vietnam over a much longer period.

YOU bolded this in the article YOU posted, so presumably you thought this to be important. So if you wish to degenerate into personal insults over a meaningless bit of trivia you yourself posted go ahead, but if I can restrain myself against call a spade a spade you sure as hell should restrain yourself making insults up as you go.

Maybe if Bush gets enough soldiers killed overseas, he'll be able to cut Medicare even more because those dead soldiers won't be needing it in the future?

So you agree one percent is an insignificant cut OR you don't have a meaningful rebuttal to defend you absurdly exaggerated OMFG HE IS CUTTING MEDICARE comment. Doesn't really matter which one

[Spec]

If you add all the corporations, that would not be even close to 2400$.

The thats not what bothers me the most. Imagine how many people could be helped with 170billion $...

Instead of going to war, they could solve world problems...

When are they goign to start the ''War on pollution'' ?

Or the War on Fez? So much more important things to deal with...

Spec.