Iraq War--It Doesn't Add Up

From American's United for Change

The cost of the war in Iraq in numbers that add up:

· U.S. troops killed: 4,034 [Associated Press, 4/14/08]

· U.S. troops wounded: 29,676 [Defense Department, 4/8/08]

· U.S. troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since September 2001: Nearly 1.7 million [Defense Department, 2/29/08]

· U.S. troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan more than once: More than 599,000 [Defense Department, 2/29/08]

· U.S. servicemembers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan who have children: 782,000 [Defense Department, 2/29/08]


. Percentage of these troops who have been deployed more than once: 40
[Defense Department, 2/29/08]

· Percent of current and former military officers who believe the Iraq war has “stretched the U.S. military dangerously thin:” 88% [Foreign Policy/Center for New American Security, 2/19/08]

. Percent of these officers who say the U.S. military is weaker than it was five years ago: 60% [Foreign Policy/Center for New American Security, 2/19/08]

· Percent of U.S. troops that have served in Iraq or Afghanistan at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (P.T.S.D.): 20% [USA Today, 3/6/08]

· Amount the United States is spending on the war in Iraq every month: $10.3 billion [Congressional Research Service, 2/22/08]


THE COST OF IRAQ WAR BROKEN DOWN

Second: $3,919

Minute: $235,160

Hour: $14.1 million

Day: $338.6 million

Week: $2.4 billion

Month: $10.3 billion

Year: $123.6 billion

[Congressional Research Service, 2/22/08]


According to the Congressional Research Service, we are spending $10.3 billion a month on the war in Iraq, which translates into $339 million a day. Every day that we are spending millions in Iraq means missed opportunities to invest in critical priorities here at home.

For the $339 million we spend in Iraq every day:

· 2,060 more Border Patrol agents could be hired to protect our borders for a year.

· 18,000 more students could receive Pell Grants to help them attend college for a year.

· 48,000 homeless veterans could be provided with a place to live for a year.

· 317,000 more kids could receive every recommended vaccination for a year.

· 955,000 families could get help with their energy bills through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for a year.

· Nearly 480,000 women, infants and children could receive nutritional help with the WIC program for a year.

· 2.6 million Americans without adequate health insurance could have access to medical and dental care at community health centers for a year.

· More than 100 local communities could make improvements to their drinking water with help from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for a year.

· 937 additional National Institutes of Health grants for research into diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer and diabetes could be provided for a year.

Source: House Appropriations Committee

How Much Is Too Much

From Americans United For Change

WHITE HOUSE FRONT GROUP, LED BY EX- WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO SHORE UP PARTY SUPPORT FOR WAR

White House Front Group Launches $7 Million Ad Buy Targeting Republicans

From Americans United For Change

A White House front group, Freedom Watch led by Libby trial witness and former White House spokesman and Ari Fleischer, is launching a $7 million television ad campaign to target a select group of Republicans to stand with Bush on Iraq, instead of standing with America. All summer long across the country, everyday citizens have been turning up the heat on these Republicans – asking them to do the right thing and break with Bush to bring a responsible end to the Iraq war. These ads represent the latest, desperate attempt to keep Congressional Republicans in line with the President’s reckless and unpopular agenda in Iraq.

A close examination of the ad buy shows that Freedoms Watch is targeting congressional republicans with a direct message - stand with Bush’s failed Iraq war strategy. What follows is an analysis of the ad buy and reasons this group may be targeting these Members of Congress.

Member	Market	GRPs	Total Money
Latham	Des Moines	1,671	$200,520