Feste...a foolsblog: Dems Doth Protest Too Loudly

September 24, 2003

Dems Doth Protest Too Loudly

President Bush’s $87 billion request for Iraq and Afghanistan has Donk panties in bunch.

BYRD CHALLENGES RUMSFELD Bremer and Rumsfeld faced intense questioning as partisan fighting over the fallout from the war with Iraq has increased.

In a bristling exchange, Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., challenged Rumsfeld on the $20.3 billion part of Bush’s plan that would go toward rebuilding Iraq and establishing a democratic government.

Consider this from the FY 2004 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill:

On the Senate Floor, the following amendments were passed by voice vote: Senator Feinstein (D-CA) proposed $25 million to reduce the threat to human safety arising from the threat of catastrophic fire in dead and dying trees; Senator Reid (D-NV) proposed $20 million for the suppression and control of Mormon cricket infestations

And this:

The terrorist attack on the World Trade Center (WTC) may cost New York City between 90 billion and 105 billion US dollars over the next two years, city comptroller Alan Hevesi said.

The figure includes 45 billion dollars for the value of the ruined buildings and the loss of tax revenue derived from those people killed, and 45 billion to 60 billion dollars for ongoing costs, such as lost economic activity over the next two fiscal years, he said in a report.

There is not enough space in Manhattan for all the firms displaced from the WTC, he said, "some are moving out of the city, some may return when there is new space, others may not. The impact on the city economy in fiscal 2003 could range from 3 billion to 18 billion dollars.

Let's take a look at how we Americans spend our disposable income:

$1.7 billion - annual Skin Care Product Sales
$2.9 billion - annual Fragrance sales
$2.1 billion - annual Makeup sales
$5.7 billion - Bottled water sales in the U.S. rose 9.3% in 2000
$8.4 billion - annual movie box office sales
$10 billion -annual aesthetic surgery
$12 billion - electronic gaming market for 2003
$13 billion - annual chocolate purchases by Americans In 2001, total candy sales in convenience stores totaled $3.8 billion. Halloween is the number-one seasonal event for candy sales, with total sales of $1.9 billion
$23 billion - annual American toy sales
$23 billion - annual pet-related sales
$23.9 billion - annual sales through jewelry stores
$58 billion - annual soft drink sales in the U.S.
$85 billion - annual spending on the lawn and garden industry
$99.5 billion -Sales of consumer electronics products for 2003
$105 billion -annual sales Fast food , $20 Billion of which is French Fry sales
$197 billion - annual DIY/Home Improvent product sales in 2002
$354 billion - annual restaurant sales

I am not suggesting that we shouldn't enjoy a movie, burger or a Slurpee, install a dishwasher or have fresh breath and squeaky clean hair, but we need to get our fucking priorities in order.

We spend billions a year to prevent crab grass in our lawns and millions to eliminate crickets. How can we not spend $20.3 Billion to prevent Islamofacism from taking root in Iraq?

Posted by feste at September 24, 2003 03:19 PM | TrackBack

Comments

So, you think things like spending $54 million of American taxpayer dollars for a study of the Iraqi postal system, and $900 million of American taxpayer dollars to import oil into a nation with the second largest oil reserves in the world is just peachy?

Stay away from MY checkbook, pal, I already have enough creditcard debt.

Posted by: JimP at September 28, 2003 07:14 AM

I would a lot more impressed if you had the balls to use a real email address. Hit and run comment trollage is so typical of the gutless left.

Posted by: feste at September 28, 2003 10:19 AM