My plan for regime change was faster, cheaper and death free.

[Fight_n_back]

It has cost about 300 Billion so far in Iraq plus nearly 2000 US dead, upwards of 100000 Iraqi dead.

My plan for regime change?

"Hey Sadaam, we will pay you 100 Billion dollars to leave Iraq. You have to live on a small island somewhere and you can never lead another country but you will be rich and not dead."

MILLIONS IN TRIBUTE! NOT A PENNY IN DEFENSE!

[gordianot]

1. We could also have bought off the Iraqi military & still invaded Iraq.

Put down you guns you get a new car, new job, good will from the United States, protection from invasion, etc... It would have cost much less than a war.

I always wondered why the Marshall plan followed the war?

Not a bad idea. "MILLIONS IN TRIBUTE! NOT A PENNY IN DEFENSE!"

[Rex]

2. Iraq's GDP last year (est) was 90 billion

I like your idea. We've spent what, 300 billion so far on the 'war'? We could have offered ALL Iraqis double/triple wages in Iraq and raise the standard of living within a few months. All without firing a shot. The offer could have been broadcast from the Saudi Empire to the people of Iraq. They would have found Saddam dead the next day.

[FloridaPat]

3. Why does everyone think this is botched? I have a feeling this is the

way the White House wanted it. You can't pour billions into defense contractor's banks if the country you're invading doesn't go along with it. We still don't have the oil wells. We didn't go in there to help the Iraqis. Rumors are popping up that a lot of the suicide bombers are car, taxi, or truck owners pulled over for harrasment and the bombs are put on their vehicles without their knowledge - by the US of A. If the country is at peace, how will you keep the troops there to harass and invade the rest of the Middle East?