Gas, Bacon, and War
How a manufactured conflict in Iran flies straight out of your pocket
I never thought I’d see the day, but longtime Republican opinion writer George F. Will advised in 2018 that we should, “Vote against the GOP this November.” I did my part but clearly that wasn’t enough. Now Will argues that Trump has,
“fundamentally damaged the American constitutional order and has transformed the Republican Party from an ideological movement into an instrument of personal devotion and toadyism. …”
But let’s start with the principle — SOMEONE HAS TO PAY! for the extravagance, the ridiculous dance hall, the too-tall arch, the big tax breaks for billionaires, the miss-budgeting, and the Iran war.
For now, let’s stick with every day affordability issues — the price of gas, bacon, and a bottle of wine. At the end of February, the national average for a gallon of gas was $2.98 (and likely at Costco, about 30 cents cheaper). That adds up to be about $113.24 for 38 gallons. (Note: the closest gas station to my house is four blocks away and costs $4.99 a gallon.)
Today, the average cost is $4.06 or $154.28 for 38 gallons. The difference: $41.04 — money that likely just “flew” out of our pockets. As I recall, I filled my car up three times — $50 to fill my tank at the highest. So let’s think about what we could have done with that $41.04.
According to The Washington Post, we could have bought 6 pounds of sliced bacon, or 7 pounds of cheddar cheese or three bottles of fairly nice wine.
Now the price of gas is slipping a bit, but the experts say we should not expect it to return to February’s original prices anytime soon. Then there is the compounding toll of Trump’s War on Iran.
Win or Lose — Wars Don’t Come Free
15 American Soldiers, 26 Israelis, 3700 people in Lebanon and an estimated 3600 - 6,000 Iranians have lost their lives. The devastation cannot be measured in dollars and cents. For the families left behind, and the almost 600 American soldiers returning with severe injuries —predominantly traumatic brain injuries from regional missile strikes, the structural and medical costs will linger for generations. For those who lost their spouses, there will be monthly payments for the families.
The other kinds of estimated costs pile up: $132 billion minimum for taxpayers to pay. This number is considered a low estimate but it will likely take generations to pay for it.
$29 billion in military operations
Uncounted billions for repairs of the US bases in the Middle East that were hit by Iranian drones, to fix carrier strike groups, including the fire on the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, damage to jets, and replacement of munitions
Macroeconomic shockwaves: Spikes in energy costs, commodity prices, and interest rates
Global trade gridlock: widespread inflation hitting food, gas and diesel, fertilizer for farmers, and manufacturing parts that rely heavily on overseas supply chains.
Now, Dear Reader, you have thoughtfully read the list above. The good news — there is much to worry about. The bad news — all of the numbers, estimates and unknowns are likely to go up, e.g., the Pentagon has estimated that one week of the war cost $12 billion but all of the outside experts say this number is low.
Meanwhile, anger on Capitol Hill is growing. Republicans — these would be the ones that George Will calls “the president’s poodles” are demanding answers — about costs and about the so-called agreement between Trump and Iran. To be valid, this agreement has to be validated by the Congress. The details are still moving around a bit, but one thing for certain — Donald J. Trump started this illegal war, and he has lost it!
The Washington Post: See how much more you are spending on gas and what groceries that could buy
Edward Wong and Aruni Soni, The New York Times: The Costs of the Iran War: Thousands of Lives and Billions of Dollars
Nik Turse, The Intercept: Trump’s War on Iran Could Cost Trillions
George F. Will, The Washington Post: Vote against the GOP this November
Brent Budowsky, The Hill: George Will is right: Vote the GOP out
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