Discussion Examines Astonishing Cost of War

The Center for American Progress (CAP) held a discussion on the financial costs of the war in Iraq, with participants including Linda Bilmes, professor at Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and Steve Kosiak, vice president for budget studies
at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.

Bilmes wrote a book on the cost of the war in order to both call attention to government expenditures that often go overlooked and also to illustrate how veterans are often being "short-changed" in the benefits they receive.

The facts presented by the participants were astonishing. Bilmes noted that disability benefits will need to continue to be extended for decades. Professor Bilmes explained that the purpose of her book was not to shock people, but to look at the costs of the war conservatively.

Also noted by the participants was how the incredibly pricey war has "stained" our economy. Bilmes mentioned, because of the over $600 billion war, America has had an insufficient amount of money to finance sorely needed infrastructure reforms and properly finance a stimulus package to improve our economy.