$162-billion bill: Legacy for war or education?

It is the last war funding bill of the Bush administration -- $162 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan -- bringing to $650 billion the amount Congress has appropriated for the Iraq War in the last five years.

But the bill President Bush signed today also represents a concession by the White House to the popularity of an idea by Democratic Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, a former Marine whose son is serving in Iraq. The bill will double the GI Bill to $63 billion, offering tuition, room and board to veterans of the two wars -- and allowing families to transfer unused benefits to spouses or children.

Bush had earlier threatened to veto the plan, calling it too generous and saying it risked a brain drain. Today he praised the bill, saying it will "help us to recruit and reward the best military on the face of the earth."

Activists eager to end the war in Iraq called the compromise a betrayal by House Democrats elected two years ago to stop the war. "Biggest blank check ever,'" said Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), the only member of Congress in either the House or the Senate, in the days following the 9/11 terror attacks, to vote against authorizing the use of force.

But Bush called the bill a victory for bipartisanship. In a statement from the Oval Office, he said it "shows the American people that even in an election year, Republicans and Democrats can come together to stand behind our troops and their families."

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo: Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika / U.S Army

Comments

[MaxersLA]

$650B. WOW. What a staggering number, and that is just for Iraq!

If we instead invested that $650B into roads, schools, hospitals, levees, bridges, alternative fuel technology, etc., things that would actually benefit taxpayers flipping the bill, could you even imagine the positive impact it would have?

What instead do we get for $650B for Iraq? $6 gasoline and contempt from the rest of the world? THIS IS INSANITY!!!!!

PLEASE STOP THIS WAR!!!! It is literally killing the United States!!!!

[mary.thomsen@sbcglobal.net]

This isn't even worth a comment - more money for war while everything else in the country goes to hell - that's the Bush way!!

[Sunny]

These Democrats are ridiculous. Nancy Pelosi's anti war rhetoric back in Dec 2006, "my highest priority, immediately, is to stop the war in Iraq.'' She and her Democratic party are no different.

[captbilly]

I think I can almost feel the hopelessness that the members of Congress that voted on this bill must feel. If they didn't vote for the bill they are accused of not supporting the troops. If they vote for the bill they are accused of extending a hopeless conflict. The American people haven't exactly lost interest in the war, it's more of a feeling of frustration and hopelessness, that there is no way given the realities of Washington politics that this war can ever be decisively resolved. Even if Congress was of a mind to authorise the truely massive budget that this war would have really required to provide the security needed after the invasion, it is probably way too late to change the minds of the millions of Iraqis that now view America as thier enemy.

This is going to end badly, and unfortunately the end of the conflict is likely going to coincide with a general downturn in American prestige, as well as a downturn in American, financial, political and military might. I remember feeling after I realized that the basic pretext of the war (WMD and American security interests in Iraq) was a lie, that this war was going to be paid for for generations. I didn't even realize then that the cost would be quite so high and the payback quite so soon.

[Terminator]

How much has al-queda or the taliban spent?

[Debbie]

universal health care is a waste, but 650 Billion for a war that worsened al quida situation is fine. great!

[Rick]

The sad thing is that "President Cheney" and his sock puppet Bush are planning to invade Iran before the end of the year and no one is doing anything to block them

[Debbie]

"I think I can almost feel the hopelessness that the members of Congress that voted on this bill must feel. If they didn't vote for the bill they are accused of not supporting the troops. If they vote for the bill they are accused of extending a hopeless conflict."

yea that was what the patriot law was all about. So you see now why democrats were wanting to bring in AlGore and then John Kerry?
People of America, you are who you vote for. So take the time out, and don't just say you feel "helpless". Use your power to vote-wisely. I am sorry, but the people are to blame for this. They voted for Mr Bush. twice.
I am not against all things republican. But to play with people's fear's is not what a true leader would do.

[AndyGranada]

Well, you can thank all the people that voted for BUSH, TWICE. To say Americans have lost it is an understatement. Every one knew Bush was stupid, but you people voted for him anyway, twice. We have lost our position in the world, because Americans are greedy people, they want their SUV, they want This, they want That. Its like my 6 yr old. SO, guess what, your stupidity is to blame.

[abby0802]

If you stop and think of all the money we have wasted in Iraq, we could have rebuilt our nation's infrastructure and schools, improved health care, and invested in non-fossil fuel technologies..... And what has been achieved in Iraq? Over 4,000 dead, countless men and women with permanent disabilities, and no end in sight for a useless, ill-conceived, ill-planned war.
Bush et al have done more harm to this country than any other president in our nation's history.
God help us.

[The Constitutionalist]

Why do we tolerate politicians that WE elected? Why not write to your representative and senators (just an email) and let them know how mad/upset/angry/confused you are? And if they won't listen, then just vote them out!

If we do not voice our concerns, we are no different than the politicians exercising their "power" over us.

My fellow Americans are getting what they deserve for continuing to vote for Republicans and Democrats. Every vote for either major party (with the exception of the rare gem like Ron Paul) is a vote for more US wars for Israel's benefit at US expense. AIPAC is firmly in control of both major parties.

Enjoy those high gas prices and dead/wounded soldiers, people. You're brought it all on yourselves. Keep voting Republican/Democrat and see if anything EVER changes.

[Obama]

Thank goodness our democrat lead congress approved it!

[David]

A vote for either a Democrat or a Republican is a wasted vote.

[Rick Meyer]

So this is what our Democrat run congress, with member Barack Obama, is doing for us?

[Rock Doctor]

I am not sure, as a military spouse that I can agree with Mr. Bush that this is standing "behind the troops and their families."
Yes, we need those educational benefits, but is it worth it if you have to keep getting sent back to Iraq 3,4,5 times??
This war is destroying our military and it's families. The best way to support the troops is to end the war now; bring our people home and take care of them.

[HotguygG]

Bush Triumphs Again. Give this great leader the credit he is owed. Saddam, Al Qaeeda, and the Taliban are toast and he did it. He accomplished more for United States interests and for civilization than the last 4 Democratic presidents combined. And he did it with unprecedented continous opposition from the liberal media. Even brain less celebrities are quoted trashing him in People magazine. Looks like the liberals were conned once again by Pelosi, Reid, Murtha, and the rest of the Cindy Sheehan Party Democrats. Just like you are being conned right now by that empty suit, Obama.

[Bill Hansworth]

I'm really tired of people downplaying GWB's intelligence. His goofy demeanor does a fantastic job of plowing through the American psyche, fooling everyone into thinking he is somehow an idiot.

He's accomplished everything the Republican party stands for during his presidency... Appropriating congressional funds for unnecessary expenses, immensely padding the coffers of Military hardware producers and credit card companies. My children will pay to rebuild a foreign infrastructure we deliberately destroyed, meanwhile, building the largest government agency in history, ready to hand out military grade weapons technology to local authorities, and all in the name of fear.

Wake up, America. Bush is not the dumb one. YOU ARE.

[Mike]

who cares. its only money :)

[OilWarsDotCom]

Shows there is not much difference in either party. Dems and Repugs voted to spend this money......correction, borrow this money, which will cost twice as much to pay it back. They used the excuse "we have to back the troops." The troops are bush's arms of death and most American's want the killing for oil and conquest to stop..........So what happens? Iran is now the next country to conqure for trumpted up reasons, kinda like Adolph Hitler. America may never be a country looked up to again as a benovolant nation.....just a big bully who will invade your nation, kill your citizens and steal your resorces. How long can a "bad" nation keep this up? I guess as long as the Communist Chinese keep loaning the US the money.

[Thoughts]

A couple of important thoughts.

1. Just because the government spent $650B does not mean that the money did nothing in the U.S. A good portion of the money stayed right here, paying the people who provide goods and services to the military--the fuel companies that sell the military fuel, the manufacturers of parts for military equipment, the contractors who provide goods and services to the military, and the service men and women who are actually prosecuting the war. The money spent does provide for education and health care. The education and health care for those families. Governments spend money. Just because the war takes place on foreign soil does not mean the money spent to do so is also spent there.

2. There aren't "millions of Iraqis" who hate the U.S. Most of them are just trying to live their lives. That statement is as bad as saying that everyone who lives in a crime-ridden neighborhood hates the police. Certainly, the criminals do. Most residents, however, are simply trying to live their lives.

You may disagree about the wisdom of entering the war. However, statements riddled with hyperbole do not make themselves true. People need to stop and realize that the vast majority of people involved in this effort are simply doing their jobs, that the money goes to support them because they are making an effort, and that the money spent is not "wasted." It goes to support our very own people.

[Jason]

What do you expect from them, they have all been bought and paid for no matter how they talk. i say all we can do now is unite as a country and demand a trial against bush and his cabinet for deceiving the entire country outright, then his execution...........after due process of course!

[nemisis]

I AM against all things republican. I didn't vote for this joker. I didn't vote for "conservatism" which ultimately translates into greed, self importance and complete rationalization of all things politics and religious.

The conservatives have tried to make "liberal" a dirty word, but if intelligent forethought, caring about others and the environment and PEACE are a bad thing, sign me up.

I should note, also, that the Democrats have colluded with this administration. They may call it "bi-partisan". I call it "crappy to no" representation.

That is all.

[Daryl]

This is a drop in the bucket. The USA Spent $440 billion on Medicare last year. Think about that, $440 Billion a year, over the next 5 years is 2.2 Trillion dollars. And the cost keeps going up every year.

[The Bob]

Maybe with all that money available to send people to school we'll have less morons who don't understand the world commenting on these articles. Sure, all government programs are strapped for cash. They always will be, that's how the government does business. Maybe if we educate more people we'll have enough smart people to get things done.