Voting With Their Cash, Right-Wingers Refuse To Support Iraq War

D

dennis_t

CAGiversary!
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1577750,00.html

Bush plea for cash to rebuild Iraq raises $600

Mark Townsend in Houston
Sunday September 25, 2005
The Observer


An extraordinary appeal to Americans from the Bush administration for money to help pay for the reconstruction of Iraq has raised only $600 (£337), The Observer has learnt. Yet since the appeal was launched earlier this month, donations to rebuild New Orleans have attracted hundreds of millions of dollars.
The public's reluctance to contribute much more than the cost of two iPods to the administration's attempt to offer citizens 'a further stake in building a free and prosperous Iraq' has been seized on by critics as evidence of growing ambivalence over that country.

This coincides with concern over the increasing cost of the war. More than $30 billion has been appropriated for the reconstruction. Initially, America's overseas aid agency, USaid, expected it to cost taxpayers no more than $1.7bn, but it is now asking the public if they want to contribute even more.

It is understood to be the first time that a US government has made an appeal to taxpayers for foreign aid money. Contributors have no way of knowing who will receive their donations or even where they may go, after officials said details had be kept secret for security reasons.

USaid's Heather Layman denied it was disappointed with the meagre sum raised after a fortnight. 'Every little helps,' she said.

In the past 12 months, Americans raised some $250bn for charity, including other foreign causes such as the Asian tsunami victims. Layman said: 'There is no financial goal. People are looking for a way to help rebuild Iraq and this is a way to facilitate that.'

The fundraising comes amid concern that some US projects in Iraq will be scrapped or only partly completed because of rising costs. Some officials fear that money may run out before key projects are completed.

Last week, the number of US troops killed in Iraq rose above 1,900.
 
Now, this fits perfectly in pad's coward thread. Not only are they not serving (which is excusable), they're not even opening their wallets or protesting on any scale like the left routinely does.
 
How widespread was the donation campaign known? I never knew there was such a campaign.

There are several local schools here that have sister programs with schools in Iraq that raise money for school supplies, desks, backpacks and used clothing. If I'm not mistaken either the University of Pittsburgh or CMU has a similar program with an Iraqi University. I've personally donated $100 to my local high school's program for this campaign.

One campaign that no one knows about isn't reflective of what's going on at a grass roots level.
 
[quote name='PittsburghAfterDark']How widespread was the donation campaign known? I never knew there was such a campaign.

There are several local schools here that have sister programs with schools in Iraq that raise money for school supplies, desks, backpacks and used clothing. If I'm not mistaken either the University of Pittsburgh or CMU has a similar program with an Iraqi University. I've personally donated $100 to my local high school's program for this campaign.

One campaign that no one knows about isn't reflective of what's going on at a grass roots level.[/QUOTE]

I think he mentioned it in one of his televised speeches. I heard him make the request, but not sure if he went into the full details (ie. where to send it).

But also, while there is obviously some overlap, what you mentioned is strictly humanitarian, and would garner supporters from all political perspectives. Donating to fund the war and reconstruction would not.
 
[quote name='PittsburghAfterDark']How widespread was the donation campaign known? I never knew there was such a campaign.[/QUOTE]

Pretty well known, PAD.

And a black eye for the chickenhawks who wanted the war so long as it cost them nothing.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/12683282.htm?source=rss

U.S. seeks donations to bolster aid to Iraq
$30 billion in tax funds already designated for reconstruction
CAM SIMPSON
Chicago Tribune

WASHINGTON - Amid pleas for donations after Hurricane Katrina, the Bush administration has launched an unusual effort to raise charitable contributions for another cause: the government's attempt to rebuild Iraq.

Although more than $30 billion in taxpayer funds have been appropriated for Iraqi reconstruction, the administration earlier this month launched an Internet-based fundraising effort at www.Iraqpartnership.org it says is aimed at giving Americans "a further stake in building a free and prosperous Iraq."

Contributors have no way of knowing who's getting the money or precisely where it's headed, because the government says it must keep the details secret for security reasons.

Experts wonder whether Americans will make charitable donations to a government foreign aid program, and whether the contentious environment surrounding Iraq will make a tough pitch even tougher.

In addition, the new campaign comes amid increasing concerns that some of the administration's major projects in Iraq will be scrapped or only partially completed because of rising costs, especially for security.

"I'm a little skeptical, and the timing certainly isn't the best," said James Ferris, director of the Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy at the University of Southern California.
 
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