Alternative Priorities for Iraq War Spending

Monday, June 18th, 2007

ALTERNATIVE PRIORITIES FOR IRAQ WAR SPENDING

The money spent on the Iraq War will reach approximately $456 billion by September, according to the National Priorities Project (NPP), an organization that tracks public spending. Some estimates predict the cost of the war will reach $2 trillion or more in the near future.

“Jews Against the War” urges Americans to reflect on our nation’s current priorities of war and conquest, and contrast them with an alternative path – one that embodies a higher calling, one of justice, compassion, respect, and peace. Consider…

The Costs of War:

• $4,100 for every American household.

• $1,500 for every American.

• $3,400 for every taxpayer.

• $11 million per hour and $275 million per day.

With $456 billion America could:

• Feed and educate the world’s poor for five and a half years.

• Pay for an entire year of Medicare benefits for the entire country.

• Hire 1.8 million new teachers or 7.4 million teachers for one year contracts.

• Provide 20.7 million students four-year scholarships at public universities.

• Provide 60 million children with health insurance coverage.

• Build nearly 4 million new affordable housing units.

• Build 45,800 new elementary schools.

• Insure 255.1 million children for one year.

• Pay for 56.4 million children to attend a year of Head Start.

Sources: The Boston Globe, National Priorities Project