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Iran War Cost Tracker

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231–240 of 486 posts

Re: Iran War Cost Tracker

#231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Universal healthcare is cheaper than our system of healthcare by a factor of 2 (comparing other OECD countries). If we raised taxes and implemented universal healthcare we’d save about $1T a year. Cost isn’t the relevant factor, it’s politics. Or more accurately, naked bribery that we, for some insane reason, call “lobbying”.

I've looked into this for work and no way. You must unfactor the European models getting subsidized by the current US model. Some very smart people have looked at fixing the system, and there's no golden goose (except ozempic maybe). We'll need pharmacological breakthroughs. Also, regrettably - A LOT of medical care is unnecessary but we love grandma.

> You must unfactor the European models getting subsidized by the current US model.

But they don't. This is clearly a pro-insurer talking point. Europe just negotiates on a state based level so therefore is able to negotiate better prices.

Re: Iran War Cost Tracker

#232

For the prospects of the freedom and subsequent prosperity of the oppressed Iranian people, peace in the Middle East, and safety of the commercial shipping routes, I fully approve my tax dollars to the matter.

Do you believe that those goals will be achieved? Given the historical track record of these kinds of interventions, I do not.

Re: Iran War Cost Tracker

#233

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Universal healthcare is cheaper than our system of healthcare by a factor of 2 (comparing other OECD countries). If we raised taxes and implemented universal healthcare we’d save about $1T a year. Cost isn’t the relevant factor, it’s politics. Or more accurately, naked bribery that we, for some insane reason, call “lobbying”.

> If we raised taxes and implemented universal healthcare we’d save about $1T a year If it saves $1T, then why does it require raising taxes?

idk maybe those savings are not upfront but are more around productivity improvements and so on.

Re: Iran War Cost Tracker

#234

What would have happened if the US dis not get involved in WWII. We would probably not be here... Not everything is short sighted bean counters. Having major cities explode by nuclear devices in the US will surely cost more.

[flagged]

The alternative was not bombing them in the middle of negotiations.

Re: Iran War Cost Tracker

#235

What would have happened if the US dis not get involved in WWII. We would probably not be here... Not everything is short sighted bean counters. Having major cities explode by nuclear devices in the US will surely cost more.

[flagged]

We had a nuclear deal with them, which was ripped up by the same man currently in charge of the US.

Re: Iran War Cost Tracker

#236

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Interests." I'd love to know what the price per barrel the U.S. has paid in the last few years when you factor in additional costs incurred due to involvement in Iraq and Syria.

While oil is a major interest its hardly the only one. USA is still playing at being world hegemon in competition with china and to a lesser extent russia. Maintaining alliances is a part of that.

> USA is still playing at being world hegemon in competition with china and to a lesser extent russia. Maintaining alliances is a part of that.

The US has been actively disrupting its most critical alliance, NATO, recently. Threatening to invade an allied nation's territory or force them to hand it over to us to prevent an invasion. Now threatening to block trade with NATO nations. The current administration is doing a terrible job of maintaining alliances.

Re: Iran War Cost Tracker

#237
post #194

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you really believe killing 175 children[0] will bring peace and prosperity to the Iranian people? [0] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/01/world/middleeast/girls-sc...

That news piece was officially dismissed after investigation by the IDF and CENTCOM. I would bring to your awareness that you're using an emotional argument with no substance, and it discounts the decades of complex history in the region.

>investigation by the IDF and CENTCOM

this has to be bait, right?

Re: Iran War Cost Tracker

#238

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think citizens in those countries recognize that allowing a repressive regime to exist simply for cheap oil costs is not necessarily a good solution, either.

until your energy bills impact your pocket directly, while you were laid off from your manufacturing plant, because their cost structure is not competitive without cheap Russian oil/gas Look at the correlation here starting from 2022: https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/recent-weakness-german-manufa...

This is akin to someone in 1861 saying US cotton plantations, and by extension the entire Southern economy, aren't viable without slavery, so let's allow slavery to run.

Western liberal civilization has theta decay without occasional violent intervention.

Imagine if we didn't go all-out against communism.

Re: Iran War Cost Tracker

#239
post #84
post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> But rather than protect global sea lanes, the US is bombing Iran. That’s not the same thing. Arguably the primary threat to modern sea lanes is Iran. Right now Iran is harrasing traffic. Previously the Houthis, generally considered an Iranian proxy, were harrasing traffic. Its all kind of the same war, this is just the end game.

If it were that straightforward, right now the US would (A) have a consistent set of demands/goals that include shipping security and (B) a large international coalition of support. Neither are true. P.S.: Plus, of course, the whole problem where "protecting global sea lanes" typically requires a different approach than "start a war by assassinating the leadership you were negotiating with."

US messaging has been all over the place, but stop funding proxies has been one of the more consistent parts.

To be clear, im not saying protecting shipping is the primary reason for this war. I'm just saying if that is what you think usa should be doing, then this war makes sense.

As far as b) there are a lot of factors. Its not like freedom of navigation is the top concern of every country in the world.

Re: Iran War Cost Tracker

#240

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Doesn't mean the direction wasn't correct. Take any American, and treat them the way Americans treat others, and they would be forming terrorist cells (gorilla war), building nukes, basically every single thing they could to fight back. To never surrender. Remember Red Dawn? That would be an American Response, to what America is doing. That is it basically. If shoe was on other foot, Americans would never surrender.…

> So, why are we expecting others to give up quietly? We're not. That's why we're bombing the regime and associated military targets. Iran was never expected to give up quietly.

Think you are missing the point.

They aren't going to just give up after a few weeks of bombing.

Will need boots on the ground versus a resistance/multiple sides of a civil war, and now we have another 20 year war.

People don't just shrug and go "all shucks, yuck yuck, guess you got us, i'll roll over"

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