What does $456 billion buy?

We know it doesn't buy stability in the Middle East or advance the war against terror.  Boston.com has a slide show with some alternatives for the money we've committed (so far) to the Iraq War.  http://www.boston.co...

For example:

30 Big Digs
At almost $15 billion, Boston's Central Artery project has been held up as the nation's most expensive public works project. Now multiply that by 30 and you're getting close to US taxpayer's commitment to democracy in Iraq? so far.

Let's see.  Paul Wolfowitz could have gotten $60k raises for 7.6 million girlfriends.  Randall Tobias could have had (at $300 an hour, plus, to make the math easy, $156 for a tip) ONE BILLION fantasy sessions with the DC Madam women.
And remember this fine example of lobbyist gold?

Wade's company MZM Inc. received its first federal contract from the White House. The contract, which ran from July 15 to August 15, 2002, stipulated that Wade be paid $140,000 to "provide office furniture and computers for Vice President Dick Cheney."

- Two weeks later, on August 30, 2002, Wade purchased a yacht for $140,000 for Duke Cunningham. The boat's name was later changed to the "Duke-Stir."

The federal government could have bought over 3.2 million yachts for the American public, which would be useful for those living near the coasts if global warming causes flooding.

Or maybe, just maybe, we'd be providing better health care for our military; and we'd have rebuilt New Orleans; and, and, and . . .

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