CBO Study: Phased Withdrawal Would Save Half A Trillion Dollars
CBO Study: Phased Withdrawal Would Save Half A Trillion Dollars
In a letter to Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND), the Congressional Budget Office reports that the war in Iraq has so far cost U.S. taxpayers $351 billion. The total amount, approved and requested, by the Bush administration is $532 billion.
The letter attempts to answer how much more Iraq will cost over the next decade (read it here). To answer that question, the CBO laid out two possible scenarios, and the costs of the respective plans:
First, under a “stay the course” scenario with a gradual drawdown that leaves 75,000 soldiers overseas in 2013 and each year thereafter, the cost would be $919 billion for the next ten years.
The second scenario proposes a faster drawdown, leaving only 30,000 military personnel overseas over the 2010–2017 period, although not necessarily in Iraq and Afghanistan. The cost of that plan would be $472 billion for the next ten years.
In other words, phased withdrawal from Iraq would save $447 billion over the next decade.
The CBO acknowledges a great amount of uncertainty in its calculations. “The President has announced a plan to increase the number of military personnel deployed to Iraq, but it is not clear how many troops will be involved, how long the size of deployed forces will remain elevated, or what the nature of the United States’ long-term military commitment in Iraq and elsewhere will be.”
As the letter makes clear, hundreds of billions of dollars hang in the balance depending on the answers to those questions.
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61 Responses to “CBO Study: Phased Withdrawal Would Save Half A Trillion Dollars”
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The real cost is TWO TRILLION $$$ says Nobel winning Economist.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/ Iraq/ Story/ 0,2763,1681119,00.html
I ask you, if the real cost is TWO TRILLION how much would our savings be by withdrawing? Probably MUCH MORE then even half a trillion.
February 8th, 2007 at 2:06 pmHow about bringing all the troops home from Iraq by end of this year and saving all the money?!
February 8th, 2007 at 2:08 pmWith the average American’s nonchalance for the amount of money we are borrowing and spending on this war I don’t see it as a motivation for people to get concerned about….hpefully thought the people that represent them and understand how badly this is damaging this country will see this and change a gear.
February 8th, 2007 at 2:10 pmPsst..
Not to be picky, but please add the word “billion.” Makes a small difference. :)
February 8th, 2007 at 2:18 pmI’d like to get more information concerning…
…how many bases…
…at what cost…
…and for what purpose…
…the U.S. government is currently constructing in Iraq…
Representative Henry Waxman is trying to take care of business investigating Bushiva and L’il Dick’s security (and other) shady contractors, sub-contractors and war profiteering…
…watched the hearings into the wee hours on C-Span…
…three particularly specious and TREASONOUS partisan Repulsivescum obstructionists on the subcommittee:
Patrick McHenry- (R-NC)…(202) 225-2576, fax (202) 225-0316
Chris Cannon (R-UT)…(202) 225-7751, fax (202) 2255629
and Lynn Westmoreland- (R-GA)…(202) 225-5901, fax (202)225-2515
…were doing everything they could to make the Democrats look like they were merely holding these investigations as a partisan political circus…
…Give these Bush-worshipping TRAITORS a call and tell ‘em to let Waxman handle the people’s business…and stay out of the way!
February 8th, 2007 at 2:18 pmbut, but… but what about all the PROFITS !?!
February 8th, 2007 at 2:25 pmThis sentence needs the word billion in it!
February 8th, 2007 at 2:25 pmThis is sick…we need to get out of Iraq ASAP!
February 8th, 2007 at 2:29 pmHow many lives are included in that amount?
February 8th, 2007 at 2:32 pmThe war profiteers don’t look at it that way. They stand to MAKE billions of dollars.
Pretty simple.
February 8th, 2007 at 2:37 pmChimpy & Co. don’t give a hoot about how much this war costs…after all, after the New World Order is firmly established, they fully intend to default on all our foreign debts. Hey, what are they gonna do, right?
February 8th, 2007 at 2:37 pmJuan, a pricetag cannot be put on the lives.
But this is only way to get Neo-morons in the debate, to speak their language $$$$.
February 8th, 2007 at 2:38 pmJust take junior and dick to Iraq and kick their as#es out of the Green Zone.
February 8th, 2007 at 2:38 pmMy new slogan
February 8th, 2007 at 2:42 pm“Out of Iraq now
Do it for our children’s future, so their children can have a future.”
Of course, even a moron can see the fiscal sense involved in the phased withdrawal vs. the “stay the course” (what course is it anyway - can someone please tell me?? So far the “course” has never been defined or charted).
February 8th, 2007 at 2:42 pm#12 - I hadn’t read your post but see that we chose the same moniker for the neo-maniacs - “morons”….. we’re definitely on the same page.
February 8th, 2007 at 2:43 pmJuan, a pricetag cannot be put on the lives.
Comment by ForTruth
Correct. Thats why money should be irrelevant when discussing about saving lives.
But this is only way to get Neo-morons in the debate, to speak their language $$$$.
February 8th, 2007 at 2:44 pmAlso, WTO, FMI and other financial institutions. If your rights get in the way of trade, beware…you could be suit, humiliated or killed.
… sure, Dems claim that they want to save money - now we know what price for liberty, but the truth is, libs wouldn’t suffer a hangnail personally for the liberty of others …
February 8th, 2007 at 2:48 pmAmericans were told there would be only 30,000 troops in Iraq by October 2003. It would be an improvement if Bush & Co could live up to that story.
February 8th, 2007 at 2:49 pmWhile Lieberman’s suggestion that a war tax was greeted by a loud silence among those in favor of the war, and boos and hisses all around from those against it, there will, sooner or later be a reckoning. Personally, I think that unless congress has the guts to seriously debate a progressive war income tax that covers the entire cost from the war’s inception to this year’s plan, everyone administration, legislatures, and populace is off the hook, condemning our children to taxation without representation–why our nation was founded to begin with. I say put a tax on it; then let’s see how the nation really feels about the Iraq war. It’s time those on all sides put their money where mouths are.
February 8th, 2007 at 2:50 pmNo good reldeH.
February 8th, 2007 at 2:51 pmWho are the “others” you mention?
Certainly not the 12% of the Iraqi population that has fled the carnage that the chymp hath wrought??
#18, Jason,
please what have you ’suffered’ in the name of Liberity? the discomfort of seeing the war on the TV? thats all your president expects of you isnt it? Im sure you’re more than happy to take that ‘call to duty’
jack ass
February 8th, 2007 at 2:54 pm#20 Why not let Bush’s corporate buddies fund the war? Now that would make some sense since they’re the only ones making money these days….and that includes Bush’s own (and Cheney’s) War Profiteering Groups & cartels as well! Carlyle Group is in the thick of it and we know Papa Bush is a member of that illustrious one!
February 8th, 2007 at 2:55 pmJMH, once again you put your ignorance on your sleeve and claim nothing factual but say it with such bravado. Do you stand by this administration? Then you will also be held accountable for the waste in human life and dollars. Supplemental funds for a military operation that has gone on longer than WWII is just bullsh*t.
Prove you asinine point or drop the partisan hack attack. All I have to do is mention the chickenhawks that pushed for this war but have never offered there time in the service. Let’s have that little contest on which side of the aisle have less people who have served this country in the military. Let’s view their stances on this.
What happened to the fiscal conservatives? Wouldn’t saving money be a positive for this country? Go ahead and attempt to bring up the fight of our lifetimes against “TERROR” but be prepared to defend the position instead of the digital diarrhea that spews from your computer.
February 8th, 2007 at 2:58 pmhey juan, my italian history comment was removed from that earlier thread, seems a little strange, why would it be removed - no profanity, nothing obscene or offensive - just a comment on politics in italy, is that taboo?
February 8th, 2007 at 2:59 pmYou TP posters?
Come get some you little bitches!
February 8th, 2007 at 3:01 pmYour democratic * saviors * will meet with the same *sudden invocation* as that Commie sellout John F Kennedy
23: Why not go a step further and have the corporations FIGHT the wars. I can only imagine the great wars of the future: The 2048 Wal-Mart War!
February 8th, 2007 at 3:01 pmConservatism at it’s finest! Go GOP!
February 8th, 2007 at 3:02 pm/sarcasm off
Karl X
You are a Comme motherfuvker, come get some you little commie canucksucker.
Bwahahahah
You need to be banned.
I will see to it you are.
February 8th, 2007 at 3:03 pmKarl X gives good Trotskyite head too
Thanks Karl, thank you for giggling while swallowing my jism.
AGAIN!
Bwahahahahaha!
February 8th, 2007 at 3:06 pm#29
February 8th, 2007 at 3:06 pmRachel
get a life
negative attention doesn’t become you
The superior man… does not set his mind either for or against anything, he will pursue whatever is right. The superior man thinks of virtue, the common man of comfort.

February 8th, 2007 at 3:06 pm~ Confucius ~
Rachel, Janie, whoever.
You still have yet to demonstrate your computer skills and ability to hack as you put it.
I’m waiting…..
*crickets chirping*
February 8th, 2007 at 3:07 pmi’m to tired to deal with trolls
February 8th, 2007 at 3:08 pmi’ll see you guys later tonight
viva ce
ciao
k
To have security against atomic bombs and against the other biological weapons, we have to prevent war, for if we cannot prevent war every nation will use every means that is at their disposal; and in spite of all promises they make, they will do it. At the same time, so long as war is not prevented, all the governments of the nations have to prepare for war, and if you have to prepare for war, then you are in a state where you cannot abolish war.
February 8th, 2007 at 3:08 pmAlbert Einstein
Joy. Rachel’s back.
February 8th, 2007 at 3:10 pmYou TP posters?
Come get some you little bitches!
Your democratic * saviors * will meet with the same *sudden invocation* as that Commie sellout John F Kennedy
Comment by TP posters? Come get some you swarthy bitches and bitchettes
This plays into my argument that there is no difference between the Dems and Repubs. And when we do get someone who really wants to make a difference, folks like the above person will “take care of them”. The corporate military industrial complex runs this show. Anyone gettin’ out of line will have to:
a) Give in
b) Go crazy
c) Get killed
Also, gotta love those Republican, family, culture of life, values. They don’t believe in death unless its of an adult they disagree with.
February 8th, 2007 at 3:11 pmMost people go on living their every-day life: half frightened, half indifferent, they behold the ghostly tragi-comedy which is being performed on the international stage before the eyes and ears of the world. But on that stage, on which the actors under the floodlights play their ordained parts, our fate of tomorrow, life or death of the nations, is being decided.
Albert Einstein
February 8th, 2007 at 3:13 pmIt’s a good thing that the wealthy people got all of those tax cuts, huh?
And it’s a good thing that the military/industrial complex is alive and well, and making record profits.
And it’s a good thing that the oil companies are alive and well, and making record profits.
And it’s a good thing that corporations are being taxed at the lowest level in like, ever.
And it’s a good thing that we might have to reduce funding for “social” programs, to save money.
And it’s a good thing when monkeys fly out of my butt.
February 8th, 2007 at 3:15 pm#26 Wow - where do I need to go to “get me some”??
I’d love nothing more than to show one of your kind just how much I appreciate your BS in person……
February 8th, 2007 at 3:15 pm37: For Truth = BULLSEYE.
Just look at all the people assasinated in the 60’s and 70’s and see what common thread runs through all of them. Today they rarely assasinate the body. They’ve turned the job over to the media who’ll destroy your character if you step out of line. They realize there are too many cameras in public today to continue blowing people away.
February 8th, 2007 at 3:21 pmRepublicans were for saving money, before they were against saving money. flip-flop, flip-flop :)
February 8th, 2007 at 3:22 pmLarry from C
Ever listen to the “Johnson Tapes”? no, not that johnson, the Lynden one.
He talks about how Bobby Kennedy is a “problem” quite extensively.
February 8th, 2007 at 3:26 pmIn a priceless moment during Congressman Waxman’s hearings questioning the witnesses/counsel from Halliburton, Blackwater, the Army’s contracting office, and ESS…
…after Patrick Henry (R-NC) finished his rant about thie hearing being a partisan political show…
…Waxman told McHenry that he (McHenry) would probably want us all to hide our heads under rocks than find out the truth (words to that effect)…
…Waxman then told an exasperated McHenry that he (McHenry) should crwl back under his rock…
…you could’ve bought that Repulsivescum TRAITOR McHenry for a dime and gotten nine cents change…
…I went to bed euphoric…
…it’s about time we started calling these Repulsivescum out!
February 8th, 2007 at 3:30 pm43: Never heard those tapes. I’m far from an expert on any one assasination. I just can spot trends.
February 8th, 2007 at 3:35 pm1. There can be no price placed on life and money should not be the motivational factor.
February 8th, 2007 at 3:36 pm2. ANYWAY, I don’t trust these figures or the office from where they come and would assume that the amount is much higher than reported.
3. In the end -Who the hell cares? Just get the hell out of Iraq, where we never belonged anyway, and bring the frigging troops home! Now!
More from Albert Einstein…
This topic brings me to that worst outcrop of the herd nature, the military system, which I abhor. That a man can take pleasure in marching in formation to the strains of a band is enough to make me despise him. He has only been given his big brain by mistake; a backbone was all he needed. This plague-spot of civilisation ought to be abolished with all possible speed. Heroism by order, senseless violence, and all the pestilent nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism — how I hate them! War seems to me a mean, contemptible thing: I would rather be hacked in pieces than take part in such an abominable business.
February 8th, 2007 at 3:38 pmjust a comment on politics in italy, is that taboo?
Comment by karlX
KarlX:
February 8th, 2007 at 4:22 pmYeah, sometimes that happens. Hopefully there is some technical stuff going awry. But recommend me a site or a book about the left in Europe.
Good thing FaceBook is not called FaceMirror
It would have broken along time ago, or as soon as TP posters starting posting their mugs.
Are all Dems this fycking ugly?
Ick!!
February 8th, 2007 at 4:40 pmGood thing FaceBook is not called FaceMirror…It would have broken along time ago… Comment by Facebook is Mine! bwahahahaha
Phew! My sides are aching! That is hilarious!! “It would have broken!” You did NOT just write that! Oh my god! I cannot stop laughing. … please, just let me catch my breath! I gotta write that down… “mirror… broken…” Too funny.
February 8th, 2007 at 5:06 pmHalf a trillion, huh? And how much is it going to cost us to defend ourselves when the terrorists take root in an abandoned Iraq and Afghanistan and launch attacks on our soil.
February 8th, 2007 at 5:19 pmUh, #49, you’re just giving them ammo… either find something semi-intelligent to say or keep quiet.
February 8th, 2007 at 5:20 pmDale: “Half a trillion, huh? And how much is it going to cost us to defend ourselves when the terrorists take root in an abandoned Iraq and Afghanistan and launch attacks on our soil.”
Good question, Dale. For what we spend in Iraq in one month, we could outfit all U.S. ports with state-of-the-art nuclear and chemical screening equipment, check every port container, put anti-missle defenses on all commercial airliners, put armed air marshals on all flights, hire thousands of new translators and beef up our special forces for lightning quick surgical strikes. Next question?
February 8th, 2007 at 5:37 pm“….This procedure and this form of execution, which you now have the opportunity of admiring, have at present no open supporters left in our colony. I am their sole defender, and at the same time the sole defender of the legacy of our former commandant. I can no longer contemplate any further development of the system; all my energy is consumed in preserving what we have.â€.
February 8th, 2007 at 6:41 pm· Franz Kafka, “In the Penal Colonyâ€.
The money could be spent on helping developing nations and ending starvation, etc. That would build America’s moral authority for future missions.
But we can’t just pull out. We’ve got to work with other nations to stop civil war in Iraq.
Martin Gifford.
February 8th, 2007 at 7:53 pmSaving money by withdrawing from Iraq!?
That makes too much sense; there is no way this White House would ever consider that possibility.
They’d rather get rid of Social Security and Medicaid first -why fund programs that help, save lives when blowing up stuff is so much more fun?
/sarcasm off
February 8th, 2007 at 10:44 pmThey’d rather get rid of Social Security and Medicaid first -why fund programs that help, save lives when blowing up stuff is so much more fun?
Comment by Gregor Samsa
Good point;that’s the plan.
February 9th, 2007 at 2:08 amThat statement is more truth than sarcasm.
Testing testing.
February 9th, 2007 at 6:42 amWe should have Congress pull the Bushevik bait-n-switch on the administration and their greedy billionaires. “We’ll let you double tax-cuts if you bring our soldiers home now.” Then when the soldiers are home - sorry, can’t do tax cuts, gotta pay for treatment and education of returning heroes!
February 9th, 2007 at 2:40 pmUgh! No wonder the world hates the US…What qualifies the US to be the boss of the world?? We are the most poorly educated, as well as the poorest (borrowing money from the likes of Mexico)…I see why the American citizens are in such problems with personal debt…the thing is it’s all Monopoly money…big screen tv’s, shop, shop, shop, bomb, bomb, bomb…it’s all good.!!!! Our poor grandchildren!!
February 10th, 2007 at 8:25 amImmediate and complete withdrawal of all our troops from Iraq and FORCED upon Bush by a no longer complicit Congress, which has the constitutional power and the duty to do so, WILL SAVE THE LIVES OF OUR TROOPS WHOM WE ALL SUPPOSEDLY ‘Support’. If Johnson or Nixon had been forced to succumb to the will of the people sooner, who knows just how many less names would appear on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and just how many of those names would have represented instead the fruitful lives of more war survivors? “DEMOCRACY REQUIRES THAT THOSE WHO GOVERN DO SO AT THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED”. Instead, the lying by the Bush regime continues, while the needless dying of our fine young women and men in uniform continues in Iraq. While this and that pol positions him or herself for ‘a run at the White House’, the Bush debacle in Iraq sadly goes on, bloody day after day. Biden et.al. can kiss my Irish-American a** when he falsely claims as he did weeks ago on Meet The Press that ’surge’ cannot be stopped by the Congress. The War Powers Act is still on the books Joe! Congress must be forced by WE THE PEOPLE to show some guts ( and some other body parts too!). If not, the end result will not be any form of hollow Bush ‘victory’ in Iraq, but a pathetically, and long predicted by many, redux of those evacuation scenes in Saigon, circa 1975, only this time, the U.S. helicopters will be lifting off from the rooftops of the ‘green zone’ in Baghdad. Politicians can talk all they want, but outraged citizens should be demanding of them day after day, that all elected officials should be working towards quickly ending Bush’s debacle ‘experiment in democracy’ in Iraq. Just as soon as that is accomplished, Bush’s reign over the destruction of our own democratic republic should be quickly ended as well with the IMPEACHMENT he and and all of his ilk so justifiably deserve! The so-called ‘liberal media’ would have us all believe that the people finally spoke in November demanding such ‘change of course’, yet what has really happend since then? As far as this Marine is concerned, a Democrat sent me to Vietnam in 1968, and a Republican kept me there in 1969. While myself and 550,000 others were stuck in Vietnam, ‘the war president’ was hiding out somewhere, when he was supposed to be ’serving’ in his champaign unit of the Texas Air National Guard, and Dick Cheney was enjoying one of his 5 deferments so he could really hide. Sadly, once again, it does not seem that there really is much of a difference (if any) between Democrats and Republicans. And meanwhile, our troops continue to fight and die in both Afghanistan and Iraq for what? BRING ALL OUR TROOPS HOME-NOW!!!!!!!!!
February 10th, 2007 at 11:25 am