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Invading and Occupying Iraq: The Impact on Maine

MPAC Newsletter, November 2003

Contributed by the National Priorities Project

The President recently submitted a request to Congress for $87 billion of taxpayers' money for war and occupation. If Congress accepts this request, total funds allocated to war, occupation of other countries and reconstruction abroad will be well over $200 billion since the war on terrorism began. The vast majority of this money has been devoted to a single political project: invading and occupying Iraq.

Are These Your Priorities?

Cost of War to Maine

The $87 billion in additional war spending will cost Maine's taxpayers $251 million. If that money were spend on other priorities in Maine, it could pay for:

$61.4 million for school construction resulting in 1,470 new jobs, AND
342 new affordable housing units, creating 838 new jobs, AND
$43.3 million for local and state roads and bridges, creating 1,441 new jobs, AND
1,324 new firefighters, AND
health care coverage for 7,590 people.

Take Action

Call Senators Snowe and Collins to let them know YOUR spending priorities. The U.S. Capitol switchboard is at (202) 224-3121. To get involved locally call the Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine at (207) 942-9343 or visit www.peacectr.org.