It looks like the editors at the Boston Globe had a clever idea.
The Boston Globe Web site, Boston.com, decided to put some perspective on the growing bill for the Iraq War, and the latest congressional financing authorization, by asking online readers to submit their alternatives for spending $456 billion, the estimated cost the war is expected to reach in the coming months.
"While there is some disagreement on the idea of troop deadlines for US soldiers in Iraq, all sides seem to be on board with the amount included in the bill to fund the war," a statement on the site explained. "Including the $124.2 billion bill, the total cost of the Iraq war may reach $456 billion in September, according to the National Priorities Project, an organization that tracks public spending.
"The amount got us wondering: What would $456 billion buy?" Web editors asked. "With the U.S. taxpayers' commitment at $456 billion so far in Iraq, Boston.com asked readers how would they rather spend the money."
A half-trillion dollars can go a long way. How would you like to see that money spent?
