The Cost of an Afghanistan Surge

The Washington Note's Steve Clemons estimates the financial cost of an Afghanistan surge.

Clemons notes his $105 billion price tag (which seems conservative to me) is higher than the annual cost of the health care reform plan and nearly 10 times higher than Afghanistan's nominal gross domestic product.

Many self-proclaimed fiscal conservatives would be happy to let this surge be paid for by increasing the national debt (something they would never demand for health care or infrastructure improvements).

At least some leaders, like House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey, may force these self-proclaimed fiscal conservatives to face and debate their hypocrisy when it comes to our wars.