Great Way To Lower National Debt

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Funds for an Iraq war victory party put on ice


New York Times

WASHINGTON - Even as the Bush administration urges Americans to stay the course in Iraq, Republicans in Congress have put down a quiet marker in the apparent hope that V-I Day might be only months away.

Tucked away in fine print in the military spending bill for this past year was a lump sum of $20 million to pay for a celebration in the nation's capital "for commemoration of success" in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Not surprisingly, the money was not spent.

Now congressional Republicans are saying, in effect, maybe next year. A paragraph written into spending legislation and approved by the Senate and House allows the $20 million to be rolled over into 2007.

The Democrats said both the original language and the one-year extension were pushed by Senate Republicans. The overall legislation was approved in the Senate by unanimous consent and overwhelmingly in the House after a short debate.

Democrats nevertheless said they were not pleased.

"If the Bush administration had spent more time planning for the postwar occupation of Iraq, and less time planning 'mission accomplished' victory celebrations, America would be closer to finishing the job in Iraq," said Rebecca M. Kirszner, communications director for Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader.

Lt. Col. Brian Maka, a Pentagon spokesman, said the event was envisioned more as an opportunity for "honoring returning U.S. forces at the conclusion" of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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If we keep budgeting for things but don't actually spend the money, eventually we'll have a lot of extra money. We could actually write the checks, but never mail them, and when the 2008 bank statement comes and we balance it... Voila! Billions of extra dollars we had totally forgotten about!

Besides a Victory Party that will never happen, what else should we put into our fake spending bill? Perhaps body armor so some of our soldiers can come home for this party?

On the party issue, it makes me feel good to know that you have faith in the US military and our ability to win in this thing. It almost sounds as if you don't want us the win and that you are cheering for the other guys.

careful you don't fall off the high horse Mr. Cable Guy.....

I must tell you that a little party for a win would be great and let us know that we have indeed done a fine job at what we do. $20 million seems small for such a show of appreciation. After all $20 million on people who work hard for their country is much better spent then $20 million spent on those who do nothing for their country.

Seems a little early to be planning a party.

I'm the party planner, remember. The food won't keep that long, and there are more pressing needs at this time.

squinney wrote:

Seems a little early to be planning a party.

They didn't plan a party. They threw in a line item to authorize payment for a party.

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I'm the party planner, remember. The food won't keep that long, and there are more pressing needs at this time.

Then being in business you'd think you'd understand the difference between ordering food and having money in the bank to have the possibility of having a party. When someone comes to you and says "I'm thinking about having a party next June." do you immediately start buying and cooking food?

You are right, of course, that there are more pressing needs but you are throwing out silly comments that only shows that you don't know how government funding works.

If someone came to me with thier newborn infant wanting to start planning their bat-mitzvah I wouldn't bother asking for a deposit. I'd tell them to check back with me in 11-12 years. Cripes! I wouldn't hold on to the funds that long, and neither will the government.

Now, tell me again how I don't know anything about how government funding works!