Monthly costs of Iraq, Afghan wars approach that of Vietnam

[villager]

Monthly costs of Iraq, Afghan wars approach that of Vietnam

By Dave Moniz, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — The monthly bill for the U.S. military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan now rivals Pentagon spending during the Vietnam War, Defense Department figures show.

The Pentagon is spending nearly $5 billion per month in Iraq and Afghanistan, a pace that would bring yearly costs to almost $60 billion. Those expenses do not include money being spent on rebuilding Iraq's electric grid, water supply and other infrastructure, costs which had no parallel in Vietnam.

In Vietnam, the last sustained war the nation fought, the United States spent $111 billion during the eight years of the war, from 1964 to 1972. Adjusted for inflation, that's more than $494 billion, an average of $61.8 billion per year, or $5.15 billion per month.

<snip>

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2003-09-07-cover-costs_x.htm

[Raven]

1. Ohhh, that nasty word "Vietnam"

I was trying to recall this morning how we paid for that war. Did Johnson and Nixon have to go to Congress like Bush is doing? Obviously, if they did, they got the money...even in the face of massive protests...doesn't bode well.

[saigon68]

4. ITS IRAQ-NAM kiddies

There will be draft shortly then the riots will begin.

Don't Expect the AWOL----CHIMPANZEE or his friends children to participate tho.

THEY will get deferements, and only the POOR AND MINORITIES WILL BE DRAFTED -----REDUX----- 1968

[chiburb]

2. The article goes on to say:

That the real inflation-adjusted cost of VietNam would be around $390 billion per year.
The main reason why 140,000 troops cost the same as 500,000 (at the peak) troops is better pay to volunteers instead of low pay to conscripts.
Morale remains the same however...

[govegan]

3. Ghastly, absolutely, ghastly

As quoted in the article, "The comparisons to Vietnam suggest to American people the level of effort we are asking the military to put out."

Vietnam was a horror story that continues today, with unexploded munitions, poisoned waters, etc.

Anyone for a rerun?

Interesting at least to see this type of comparison in the mainstream media.