By recent estimate, the USA has spent nigh on 700 billion dollars on the war in Iraq and over 4000 lives. Here’s a REAL list of things that we could have done with those resources instead.
1. Bridge from Alaska to Kamchatka.
Cost: probably less than the war
Casualties: even if one worker died for every mile constructed it would be about a quarter the cost we have taken on.
Benefit: Now you can drive from south Africa to Argentina. Wouldn’t that be useful? Also, there would be a rail system there and oil pipelines that would help cut out shipping costs and all the global warming things that come from that.
2. Buy every country in the Caribbean Sea.
Cost: like not even that much
Casualties: Haitian rebels (probably, there’s always rebels there)
Benefit: Just one more step to true manifest destiny. Also we can send our prisoners there and make them re-enact 18th century naval battles
3. Connect Alaska to America by buying a 100 yard wide strip of Canada that goes straight through Vancouver.
Cost: Probably the whole amount. For that much, no way they’d refuse.
Casualties: a caribou or two
Benefits: 54′ 40″ OR FIGHT!!
4. Buy North Korea, set it free, publicly horse whip Kim Jong Il.
Cost: 22 Billion Dollars
Casualties: unknown
Benefits:making the world safe for democracy. Also new North Korean themed theme park!!!
5. Feed all the poor, medium, and rich people here foie gras three times a day every day.
Cost: less than the war
Casualties: billions of ducks and geese
Benefit: nothing, I hate foie gras
