Just some numbers……

According to Fox news, the CBO has rated the cost of the Iraq war, and compared to the stimulus passed by the Obama administration the numbers are interesting.  You can read the Fox News report here. 

According to CBO numbers in its Budget and Economic Outlook published this month, the cost of Operation Iraqi Freedom was $709 billion for military and related activities, including training of Iraqi forces and diplomatic operations.

The projected cost of the stimulus, which passed in February 2009, and is expected to have a shelf life of two years, was $862 billion. 

Here is another excerpt on the deficit according to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

The U.S. deficit for fiscal year 2010 is expected to be $1.3 trillion, according to CBO. That compares to a 2007 deficit of $160.7 billion and a 2008 deficit of $458.6 billion, according to data provided by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

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Census: Third times a charm

 

Step 1:  A super bowl ad for $2.5 million

Step 2:  A letter from the U.S. Census Bureau stating that in a few weeks I will be receiving the Census questionnaire to fill out.

Step 3:  The actual Census questionnaire is delivered.

Step 4:  A post card from the Census Bureau letting me know that I should have received a request to participate in the 2010 Census.  Here is the charm:  “if you have already provided your census information, please accept our sincere thanks.”

Now, I am as forgetful as the next person.  That being said, with the $2.5 million spent on the commercial, and the postage paid for three separate mailings by our government, is it financially responsible?  Of course it isn’t.  Everything to my knowledge was mailed first class postage.  That is 28 cents for the post card and 44 cents for the “just letting you know it’s coming”  letter.  I believe the census is sent  to 120 million homes/families.  That is over $8.5 million not including the Census form or all of the temporary hires.

Is this a Liberal thing?  No, it’s a government thing.  I have no doubt that the same circumstances would have followed if McCain would have been President. 

Chalk this up to example number 1,365 why the government has a really really really hard time spending money wisely.  Is it any wonder why so many are leery of all the money related promises of the Health Care bill:  Premiums will go down, it will lower the deficit, it will improve the economy?  I guess we will have to wait and see, we’ll know soon enough.  After all, this administration is truly remarkable.  The Obama administration is unlike any other, everything they say is the truth and they do not lie.  They are not spending more in their first year than any other president.  Obama has shown through example that he and his administration will be financially responsible.  We have no reason to doubt any of the claims being made.   O wait, never mind.

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