What is more costing to America, Iraq or illegal immigrants?

Question

BTW I'm for bringing the troops home with as few getting killed as possible..

Dirty(er) Martini why are you so upset..this is a simple question not a personal attack on you.

as for not related .. i disagree .. I think that people's opinions are interesting..

Yoda chill. you are also reading something that is Not this question and you are taking this waay too personal too.

Answer 1

It doesn't matter which costs more, and one doesn't have anything to do with the other.

Since this is the Immigration forum, I'll answer that question: $80 billion annually is the cost to the US Taxpayer.

If you want to know about the cost of Iraq, go the appropriate page on YA.

Combining two things together like this that have nothing to do with each other and comparing them as if they do is intellectually lazy, and suggests you don't have enough knowledge to argue either one of them independently and on their own merits.

Answer 2

I have to agree with Dog Tricks on this one. Altho I don't know any illegals personally.

Our service men and women do DESERVE the best medical treatment when they do come home. And the very best of equipment to keep them safe. What upsets me at this moment with regards to their safety is that the better equipment they were promised is still being delayed or taking too long to get there for them in this Bush war.

80 Billion a year might be the American Tax payer costs for the illegals. While with this additonal funding of 190 Billion dollars Bush has asked for, would bring the money numbers for this war up to 797 Billion dollars for the last 6 plus years. And those numbers do not reflect what the soldiers medical costs are or will be when they do arrive back home.

Answer 3

war mom? lol just kidding. most of us all want to bring the troops back, but if you look more into what will happen if we do. the demacrats would be happy to pull out as long as anything rear blame and defete does not fall on them. they want it to fall on bush. now as far as whats going on over seas, this is very old and is still the same answer. if we pull out there will be a blood bath as soon as the lost plain or ship leaves. the two extremist groups will go back to fighting. now some people will say "who cares because it is not us!" that is selfish and not amarican. this does not apply to everyone only some. and it is not a bad idea I think it wouldent hurt to bring some troops out but not all. like it or not the truth hurts that most every thing depends on 2008, till then there is nothing much we can do about. no not even all the websites people want to sign onto but endup never getting submitted.

now immagration is more of a direc problem because we can't stop it with out force. sad but true this sounds un amarcan too but they are not part of our contry so;so be it! now yes you can counter with "oh but wait look at all the families that need a home" ha no they have a home but they mess it up so much. if you were nice to every family then this pleace would be the same way.

Answer 4

If it is costing American taxpayers $80 billion annually to have illegals here, I wonder what it saves all businesses and households annually in labor.

The Iraq (war) is costing $10 billion monthly, so do the math. I would rather bring the troops home and take over Mexico so we would not have any illegals from Mexico anymore. Besides, they want to join us anyway.

Close out the Iraq fiasco and let's take over Mexico. Imagine driving to Acapulco without any problems and we are all part of the same country?

Answer 5

The illegals cost more if you really look at the numbers.

A large portion of the cost in Iraq is going right back into the hands of Americans. I couldn't find anything that separates wages from the total cost, but let's say at least 25% of it is, so if the cost of the war is 300 billion annually 75 billion is going to the soldiers.

Illegals cost 240 billion in lost wages annually and a sizable chunk of that is sent out of the country. That number could easily triple if we added in all the other costs such as medical, education and judicial.

Illegals have killed more Americans in the US then have died in Iraq, in fact illegals kill more in one year then have died in Iraq since the war began.

But see, I'm willing to see you halfway, let's bring the soldiers home and send the illegals home too, that's a win-win situation.

Answer 6

I do and did not support the war in Iraq, but that does not mean that granting amnesty to the illegals would be a even trade. The citizens of the USA have the right to their set their immigration policies for our wants and needs not the illegals no many how many, hard working or well intended

Answer 7

While I've yet to decide for sure, Ron Paul's stance seems to be very good, though it leaves one pivotal issue untouched. Bring the troops home from all over the world and station them on the border.

What's missing? Oil. Without it, fewer than 5% of the world's population would eat (tractors, petroleum fertilizers, transport, beef eats grain grown with all those... etc.) Even if oil is available but the price simply hits that dreaded "threshold", global food supplies will become prohibitively expensive.

There are alternatives. Unfortunately, they're cost-prohibitive until a break-through changes things. We're most likely fighting in the mid-East as much for economic and political stability as for to ensure democracy for those people (it all goes hand in hand).

But fighting in Iraq now is far more costly than fighting in, say, Darfur. Why? Our enemies in Darfur fight with an embarrassingly limited arsenal and no one will provide them a better one. People line up to provide Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia a better arsenal. Why? Power! Both political and thermodynamic (as in: fuel).

To win, we must see their bet and raise ours, day after day, challenge after challenge. The total cost of that war is likely approaching a Trillion US Dollars, if reconstruction and other expenses are included.

As oil prices increase, driven by brand-new global demands that dwarf previous levels, the cost of our bet sky-rockets. But imagine a cost-effective, easily produced alternative to oil. They're in the works. But every time investors sell the farm to provide one that's, say, $30/barrel when oil is over $80, oil conveniently drops to $20 or thereabouts.

We can only compete in the future by finding that alternative with which petroleum simply can NOT compete.

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Sigy: This is a great question; well-worth the star. Any chance you see why my Oil from Algae suggestion meant so much to me?


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Answer 8

Illegal immigrants cost the US taxpayer $135 to $400 billion per year. This includes hidden costs such as increase in crime, uninsured motorist payouts, charitable contributions of U.S. Catholic churches, etc. etc. Illegal immigrants save businesses no more than $100 billion a year. So the net cost to the taxpayers is $35 billion to $300 billion per year.

The Iraq war so far has cost $1.2 trillion. This figure also includes hidden costs such as loss of income taxes of affected soldiers, medical costs, etc. etc. Amortizing the 1.2 trillion over 4 years is $300 billion annually. So the war costs more but not much more.

Answer 9

Irag ,
In military cost alone is 9 billion dollars a month,
usgovinf.about.com/library/ weekly/aairaqwar cost.htm

$465,301,687,456 And raising cost of the war in Iraq to date
www/cost of war.com

3803 total deaths; 3,124 deaths in combat, 30,000 wounded many with severe burns and loss of multiple limbs.
www.antiwar.com/caualities
Not included are the cost of disability benefits and medical treatment for the rest of their lives!!

Yes, The cost of Iraq is Higher, by far!!

Edit:
Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for social security retirement benefits, You need a real SS# and Work history !!

Answer 10

I care about both but let's put this in perspective.

I don't care what we spend on the war. Our troops deserve the best equipment they can get. They also deserve better medical care once they get home.Notice the word deserve.

Now illegals immigrants while they hold my sympathy and I do know many and like them, they really don't deserve the respect nor the money we spend on our troops.

I may be Pro reform but my loyalties lie with Americans and especially American Military first and foremost.


Wow...Thumbs down for saying our troops deserve the best we can give them? Or is my loyalties lie with Americans and our Military? Sad

Answer 11

Iraq costs more per year.
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu9Oy3gBHUFYBxTRXNyoA?p=iraq+cost+trillion&fr=ush-ans

Illigal Immigration is a long term expence.

In the short term illegal immigrants pay into the Social Security system which is almost bankrupt.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050410/news_mz1e10ruben.html

They also provide recruits for the military.
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3271/illegal_immigrants_uncle_sam_wants_you/
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act, is part of the stalled package of proposals that many in Congress are seeking to resurrect. The proposal, applicable to an estimated 750,000 undocumented residents of military age, stipulates that those who arrived in the United States before age 16, graduated from high school, and meet other qualifications could immediately enter the path to citizenship in exchange for at least two years' service in the armed forces.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/06/16/immigration_bill_offers_a_military_path_to_us_dream/

But not all of them pay taxes.
http://www.zazona.com/ShameH1B/Library/Archives/SaveSS.htm

In the long term Amnesty Will Cost U.S. Taxpayers at Least $2.6 Trillion.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Immigration/wm1490.cfm

Illegal Immigration negatively affects American Workers, the Unemployed, and Unions.
It also hurts the Environment by increasing Urban Sprawl.
http://www.numbersusa.com/interests/tuition.html

Tancredo, Ron Paul, and Hunter have the most conservative voting records on immigration.
http://www.betterimmigration.com/candidates/2006/prez08_gop2.html
http://www.betterimmigration.com/candidates/2006/prez08_gop1.html

Of these three, Ron Paul has the best chance of winning the Primary election.
Paul's campaign has almost 5 times as much money to spend as Tancredo.
http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/cancomsrs/?_08+P80000748
http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/cancomsrs/?_08+P80003429

Ron Paul has stated that he wants very strong borders and he was appalled that our government had taken border guards off of our borders to send them to Iraq.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig8/haman3.html

This is his six point plan:
Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals.
Enforce visa rules. Immigration officials must track visa holders and deport anyone who overstays their visa or otherwise violates U.S. law. This is especially important when we recall that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired visas.
No amnesty. Estimates suggest that 10 to 20 million people are in our country illegally. That’s a lot of people to reward for breaking our laws.
No welfare for illegal aliens. Americans have welcomed immigrants who seek opportunity, work hard, and play by the rules. But taxpayers should not pay for illegal immigrants who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads, and social services.
End birthright citizenship. As long as illegal immigrants know their children born here will be citizens, the incentive to enter the U.S. illegally will remain strong.
Pass true immigration reform. The current system is incoherent and unfair. But current reform proposals would allow up to 60 million more immigrants into our country, according to the Heritage Foundation. This is insanity. Legal immigrants from all countries should face the same rules and waiting periods.
http://ronpaul2008.com/issues/border-security-and-immigration-reform/

The NAFTA Superhighway might be another significant threat to American borders.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBmFrYWPoG8
http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul349.html