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Ron Paul: Predictions vs. Reality in Iraq
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Rep. Ron Paul
Information Clearing House
September 24, 2008
On September 10, 2002 I asked 35 questions regarding war with Iraq. The war resolution passed on October 16, 2002. Now today, as some of my colleagues try to reestablish credentials regarding spending restraint, I want to call attention to my 18th question from six years ago:
“Are we willing to bear the economic burden of a 100 billion dollar war against Iraq, with oil prices expected to skyrocket and further rattle an already shaky American economy? How about an estimated 30 year occupation of Iraq that some have deemed necessary to “build democracy” there?”
Many scoffed at my “radical” predictions at the time, regarding them as hyperbole. Six years later, I am forced to admit that I was wrong. My “radical” predictions were in fact, not “radical” enough.
I warned of a draining 30-year occupation. Now, politicians glibly talk about a 100-year occupation as if it is no big deal. On cost, according to estimates from the Congressional Research Service, we have already burned through around $550 billion in Iraq, at a rate of about $2 billion per week. Economist Joseph Stiglitz’s estimates are even higher, at $12 billion a month. It is a total price tag quickly heading into the trillions, if we don’t stop bombing and rebuilding bridges in Iraq that lead us nowhere but bankruptcy! Bridges in this country are crumbling along with our economy, while some howl about earmarks. Earmarks are a drop in the bucket compared to war and occupation.
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Yes, I was wrong about Iraq. I knew it would be bad. I didn’t know it would be this bad.
The American people deserve better. Being asked to endorse such a farce is beyond insulting. Clearly, the rosy predictions of the neo-Conservatives from before the war are not coming true. Far from it! With a straight face, one official estimated the TOTAL cost of reconstruction in Iraq would be just $1.7 billion. Turns out that we spend more than that in ONE WEEK. Our friends are not pitching in to cover the cost. Expenses are not being covered by oil from a grateful and liberated Iraqi people. Rather, big corporate interests are benefitting, the price of oil has more than quadrupled, and the American economy is on its knees and sinking fast.
No one predicted the exact course of this war before it started. But to continue to listen to the foreign policy advice of those that were the MOST offbase will only lead to more foreign policy disasters. We need to keep this in mind as we think about Russia, Iran, Cuba and other countries. Keep in mind – the doomsday predictions on the Iraq War from six years ago, sound like a cakewalk today. While what leaders in the administration had predicted, reads like a fairytale. Ask yourself, when listening to the same foreign policy “experts” explaining situations around the world and suggesting policy positions: In light of the facts of today, and the predictions of yesterday, how expert have they shown themselves to be?
Passing HR 2605 to sunset authorization for the use of force in Iraq is the first step to stopping this bloody war, and the consequent bleeding of our treasuries. Serious fiscal conservatives will support it, as will those who have been paying attention to foreign policy predictions and reality.
Ron Paul (born August 20, 1935) is a Republican United States Congressman from Lake Jackson, Texas, a physician, a bestselling author, and the last major Republican candidate to withdraw from the 2008 U.S. presidential election.
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September 24th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
as usual dr. paul makes too much sense and as usual the sheeple have a hard time understading.
Baaa Baaaa Baaa.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:00 am
as usual dr. paul makes too much sense and as usual the sheeple have a hard time understanding.
Baaa Baaaa Baaa.
September 25th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Yes, this is just plain old common sense. It is frightening that Ron Paul isn’t isn’t surrounded by dozens if not hundreds of other polititions giving support to this. What the hell are the rest of them thinking? Mabye we don’t really want to know… 9/11 truth now more then ever is vital! Spread the word!
September 25th, 2008 at 10:44 am
The congressmen are enjoying there brides and fruits for screwing us over here in America. Let the revolt begin soon. theinternationalforcaster.com will soon come up with a list of people who caused us to go into a depression. Get your gun and ammo and lets go hunting. An insentive will be go rob these asshole and take the money home to take care of yourself.
September 26th, 2008 at 3:51 am
THE SHEEPLE ARE WAKING UP NOT TO THE TRUTH BUT TO TERROR THEY ARE TERIFIED, ECONOMIC TERRORISM WILL BE THE SHEPHERD THAT HERDS THE PEOPLE INTO THE CAMPS. I WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN EUROPE AND ESPCIALLY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THE LARGEST ECONOMY LINKED TO THE DOLLAR AND THE NEW WORLD ORDER.
September 28th, 2008 at 11:12 am
As usual, RON PAUL shows more humility and common-sense/insight than ANY of our disgustingly corrupt “leaders”. AMERICA DESERVES WHAT AMERICA GETS!!! The rest of we true patriots are ridiculed and derided by the Baa Baa SHEEPLE.
Let the revolution begin, indeed. Can we banish all the IDIOTS and retain the constitution for those who will be allegiant to it???
September 28th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Yeah, Ron Paul, considering that you voted to go to war with Iraq, I guess it wasn’t radical enough, was it?
But since you believe that 9/11 was caused by 19 hijackers from Iraq with boxcutters hijacking a plane and running it into two buildings, three of which fell splat, and that we have to go to war against the families in Iraq and blow up their country to keep their weapons of mass destruction from being used against us — well, that would explain your warmongering.
Of course, that means you aren’t fit to be a Congressman, and you need to be defeated in November, and I hope you are. Go take your millions you stole from the people you duped, the ones who supported you for president and who you took their money and used it to go run for Congress — go take those millions of dollars left over and go enjoy it, and preen around on the controlled media propaganda tube like the Judas Goat you are.
But don’t worry — the liars who control the rigged voting machines will make sure their fellow criminal Ron Paul gets in and if they have to steal votes to get the old buzzard in, they will.
September 28th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Will the last American leaving the continent, please turn off the lights.Several members of the Politboro acknowledged that perhaps as many as 90% of the Citizens are going to be very unhappy with the bank bailout of the Socialized Elite. Yet they were still going to vote for the Unconstitutional Bill anyway.Lickety Split.Without any aide to those facing foreclosure.The Sheeple take it, without a whimper. Go further can you imagine the stimulus to the economy if the monies were given to all Citizens to spend and save. That would juice the economy. Trickle Down this.Ron Paul as usual shines a light on the truth and the people pay no attention to him. Instead they pray to Pagan False Gods before the colliseum fills with ‘roid heads poundind the daylights out of one another.Would the Lord of Light,approve of such brutal games. No.You can’t call Americans stupid for not heeding Dr Paul’s many warnings about the war cost, destruction of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, through vehicles, like the Unpatriotic Act. For they are not Americans. Otherwise they would have taken control back a long time ago. Dr Paul and our Founders have and had the Enlightenment Period truths filling their sails.Now most people sails are not fillling with learning and testing epistomological and metaphysical ideas. Their sails are filled with Paganism in sport, possestions and work. A once Grand Culture of grand imperfection and of civics, hope and a want for humility. A culture once admitting the evils of slavery and destroying the already here, Indian Nation had humility or tried for it. The Parchment of near perfection for imperfect people once lived. Despite our shortcomings.Many people tried. So did many of our leaders.
But by planning so well for the long war, the NEOCONJOBS, who directly derive from Nazism. ( Historically correct ) Are well ahead as of now. Only the act of the Lord or Gabriel can help us Constitutionalists. Those of us who seek to calm man’s blood, power and gold lust and reach for the heavens, the bottom of the dark sea’s and deep into our cells to cure disease. To spring opportunity, equality and humility across our fruited plain and beyond. As of now the Nazi’s occupy our land and our peoples mind’s. We on sites like this and respect Dr Paul’s wisdom are the Resistance and Underground. To win back our nation we must understand for now we have lost. But like spirits in the night we will take what we need from these heirs of Fascism. To build slowly again the pride and wisdom of our great Parchment. Born out of the Enlightenment Period. Driving each Citizen to think and act on their own, unfettered accord.May your God give you light and strenth.We must continue, organize. The time is ripe for a planned ” No Incumbants in 2012 ” That would be a wonderful start. Carry that torch. If you can organize it—DO IT
September 28th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
justthetruth you dont know that the fuck your talking about nothing u said made since or came close to the truth your a dumbass if your gonna slander at least try and use facts not utter bullshit you just spewed out.. like anyone would even belive you. i hope when the revolution comes your the first one to die not that u will your probly a goverment agent putting dump info into intelligent conversations
September 29th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Hey, JUSTTRUTH go to your faucet and tale a big gulp, let that fluoride sink in to that rotten gray matter between your head. Do us all a favor and get a bunch of flue shots in a row, let it all sink in. Make sure to bring your whole family.
October 14th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
if this is true we have failed. revolution or the new world order will come brothers and sisters. get your guns. be prepared. and wait for your day to fight