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Slowtwitch Forums: Lavender Room:
Have we covered the Iraqi budget surplus issue?

 
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Tridiot

Aug 8, 08 8:23

Post #1 of 9 (151 views)
Have we covered the Iraqi budget surplus issue? Can't Post
I'm feeling lazy right now, and am not going to go find the articles just yet, but there was a lot of talk this week about the fairly substantial Iraqi budget surplus and the amount of funds the US continues to plow into the country for reconstruction, and re-reconstruction, etc.

I forget the exact numbers, but it was 1% of the Iraqi budget going to maintenance of reconstructed facilities. There was another key 10% figure, but I don't recall what it was.


Comments, thoughts?


majorminor

Aug 8, 08 9:05

Post #2 of 9 (124 views)
Post deleted by majorminor [In reply to]
 


Tridiot

Aug 8, 08 9:36

Post #3 of 9 (109 views)
Re: Have we covered the Iraqi budget surplus issue? [majorminor] [In reply to] Can't Post
Do you even know what I think about the issue?

Thanks for adding nothing to the conversation.


majorminor

Aug 8, 08 9:47

Post #4 of 9 (103 views)
Post deleted by majorminor [In reply to]
 


Tridiot

Aug 8, 08 9:51

Post #5 of 9 (96 views)
Re: Have we covered the Iraqi budget surplus issue? [majorminor] [In reply to] Can't Post
Actually, a debate begins by someone stating a topic. You'll see that I did that with the first post.

Should you have any thoughts, a relevant link etc, go ahead and post. Otherwise, you're just annoying.


majorminor

Aug 8, 08 9:59

Post #6 of 9 (91 views)
Post deleted by majorminor [In reply to]
 


Tridiot

Aug 8, 08 10:00

Post #7 of 9 (84 views)
Re: Have we covered the Iraqi budget surplus issue? [majorminor] [In reply to] Can't Post
Should you have any thoughts, a relevant link etc, go ahead and post. Otherwise, you're just annoying.


vitus979

Aug 8, 08 10:05

Post #8 of 9 (80 views)
Re: Have we covered the Iraqi budget surplus issue? [Tridiot] [In reply to] Can't Post
I don't see this is as much of a problem. I don't think that Iraq is ailing from a lack of spending- we're spending plenty enough there. I think the issue is mainly that there's little administrative expertise within the Iraqi government- they literally don't know how to spend the money. Even now, an American task force is on the way to help them rid themselves of their cash surplus.

It might be, then, a sign that the Iraqi government lacks competence in general. I don't think it's a problem in and of itself.

Really, I think it's probably a good sign that the money hasn't disappeared.







"People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don't realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world."


Tridiot

Aug 8, 08 10:14

Post #9 of 9 (76 views)
Re: Have we covered the Iraqi budget surplus issue? [vitus979] [In reply to] Can't Post
Totally concur with the money being there, that should be a good sign (and hell, if they were my government, I'd be pleased that they were getting the US to pay for a lot; good for them I guess).

I don't have enough of an insight or exposure to truly understand where lines were drawn relative to responsibilities for reconstruction and upkeep (including, but not limited to, fiscal responsibilities). But as GAO reports the numbers and their findings, and both sides of the aisle have started to take notice (Levin is getting too much press for his reaction IMO) I'll be intrigued to learn more about where their duties lie and where ours fall off.

Hopefully as their security forces increasingly stand up for ours, their fiscal responsibilities will incrementally rise as well. If we could use some of the money we're spending over there in the VA and the medical/rehab care of our wounded troops, I'd be much happier.

Maybe we'll see people start up again with the "you break it, you bought it" argument?