Funding Iraq - Am I Repeating Myself?

Last April 9 I wrote about the rank unfairness of the U.S. taxpayer having to pay to rebuild the infrastructure in Iraq. At that time it was noted that the Iraqi government had over $30 billion in its treasury, yet little was being spent to build the roads, the electric grid, schools, and the like.

Our own Ambassador served as the apologist for the Iraqi government saying it was complicated. I am sure it is and I had hoped that by now they would uncomplicate it a little and give us here in the U.S. a break.

Now we hear that their bank account has swelled to $79 billion. In April Ambassador Crocker told Congress that the U.S. wasn't funding rebuilding anymore. In August we hear differently. Why can't we get a decent answer, or better yet why can't we turn off the spigot? It is human nature to let others pay the way or take the risks if these others just keep doing it.

I hope Senator Carl Levin and others do not let this go this time. The Iraqis have to step up and pay their own bills. To be clear, I am not talking about all the funds we pour into Iraq. We fund our military and continue to fund the training of the Iraqi army and police force. I understand that some of this is necessary. But when the invoices come in the mail for the latest road or school, they should go to the Iraqi Finance Minister and not to the U.S. Treasury Secretary.

There are a lot of things that are complicated in this world and during this time of our own economic troubles, we have enough to worry about. Having to pay for Iraqi infrastructure while our own bridges, power grid, and roads continue to deteriorate, should not be one of them.