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Rep. Obey Calls For War Surtax

President Obama is facing increasing criticism from senior Congressional Democrats over the wars cost. David Obey, the chair of House Appropriations Committee, has introduced a bill to impose a war surtax. Congressman Obey discussed the proposed tax on ABC News.

Rep. David Obey: On the merits I think it is a mistake to deepen our involvement. But if we are going to do that then at least we ought to pay for it because if we dont, if we dont pay for it, then the the costs of the Afghan war will wipe out every other initiative that we have to have to rebuild our economy. Thats what happened with the Vietnam War which wiped out the Great Society. Thats what happened with the Korea War that wiped out Harry Trumans Square Deal. Thats what happened to the progressive movement back before the 20s when we went into World War I. In each case costs of those wars shut off the ability to afford anything else.