US Legislators want new tax to pay for war in Afghanistan

The war in Afghanistan is in its eighth year and has costed hundreds of billions of dollars but now Democratic lawmakers want a new surtax to pay for the war.

Appropriations Committee Chairman Wisconsin Congressman Dave Obey, Defense Appropriations Subcommittee John Murtha of Pennsylvania and Connecticut Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larsen issued a statement on Thursday proposing a new tax, “Share The Sacrifice Act of 2010,” that would directly pay for the war in Afghanistan, according to AFP. The trio believes the new tax would pay for the wars without deficit spending. “Regardless of whether one favors the war or not, if it is to be fought, it ought to be paid for. Now the president is being asked to consider an enlarged counterinsurgency effort in Afghanistan, which proponents tell us will take at least a decade and would also cost about a trillion dollars. But unlike the healthcare bill, that would not be paid for.” The proposal would be a war surtax but could be delayed by one year if the President feels the economy is too weak to sustain such a tax, notes CQ Politics. If this bill would be passed then it would affect anyone who makes an annual salary as little as $22,000 as of 2011. Anyone making $150,000 per year would see their taxes increased by one per cent. However, members of the US military since September 11, 2001 and their families would not have to pay any tax. The Hill reports the three lawmakers further stating, “We believe that if this war is to be fought, it’s only fair that everyone share the burden. That’s why we are offering legislation to impose a graduated surtax so that the cost of the war is not borrowed.” Currently, the war in Afghanistan costs just under $70 billion per year and, as Digital Journal reported last week, if President Barack Obama approves the decision to add an additional 40,000 troops as per the request of General Stanley A. McChrystal then the war would cost $1 million per soldier per year.