PayPal-ing the war (because $200B wasn't enough!)

[atommom]

The nearly $200 billion that American taxpayers have already ponied up for the war in Iraq -- including $30 billion earmarked specifically for reconstruction projects (more than $28 billion higher than Team Bush originally projected) -- is apparently not enough to get the job done. Now, the brain trust running the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has come up with a new fundraising plan that asks the American public to dig a little deeper into their pockets in order to help rebuild Iraq.

In cooperation with a company called GlobalGiving, USAID recently launched IraqPartnership.org. The web site was introduced to the public during a recent speech by USAID's Andrew Natsios at a meeting of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce.

In early September, the Los Angeles Times reported that the deteriorating situation on the ground in Iraq has forced the U.S. to divert money, originally earmarked for construction of some water and power plants in Iraq, to security projects: "Security costs have cut into the money available to complete some major infrastructure projects. ... As a result, the United States is funding only those projects deemed essential by the Iraqi government."

The heavy price paid to secure the country is not the only financial issue in Iraq that is raising eyebrows these days: According to recent reports, $1 billion was stolen from Iraq's defense ministry, money that was intended to train and equip Iraqi troops for the fight against the insurgency. In addition, another $500 to $600 million disappeared from the electricity, transport, interior and other ministries, Iraq's Finance Minister Ali Allawi told London paper The Independent.

The missing "Benjamins" and misspent treasure have apparently forced the admninistration to come up with an alternative fundraising scheme for rebuilding Iraq. "IraqPartnership.org demonstrates the proud American tradition of private citizens working in partnership with government," said Natsios. "At the President's direction USAID will work even harder to engage the private sector to help Iraqis create an environment where democracy and economic opportunity can take root and grow."

http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/25810/

Sigh. I'm on WTF? overload right now... :banghead:

[whistle]

1. Plus $300 billion for Katrina, plus $540 billion for repub pork barrel

....projects, now Rita maybe another sevral hundred billion.....2006FY budget deficit may be well over $1 trillion.....borrow, borrow, borrow! It will never end under shrub and the republicans

[KyndCulture]

2. oh.my.god. can I join in that headbanging..

Ok this is just nucking futz! completely!

edited to add: Nominated, everyone needs to read this.

[atommom]

3. Notice that they're SOLICITING DONATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC!

:kick:

[Javaman]

4. Personally, I'm holding out for the Iraqi War Telethon...

I would love to see moron* in a tux and the collar undone, pleading with America to give till it hurts, not that committing our soldiers to an early death is enought, right?

colossal racist failure*.