Protestors address McHenry

Group calls attention to cost of Iraq war

Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

HICKORY - About a dozen opponents of the war in Iraq gathered outside U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry's office Thursday to tell the congressman how much money the conflict is costing the 10th District.

Members of MoveOn.org, a national political action group, released the results of a report that breaks down the war's cost by state, city and congressional district.

And taxpayers in McHenry's district, which includes eight western counties and parts of Iredell, Gaston and Rutherford counties, are paying about $900 million to fund the conflict, said Linda Osbon, a Hickory-based spokesperson for the group.

That's enough money to provide health care for 413,991 children, 19,154 elementary school teachers or 195,101 college scholarships, Osbon said.

"When you talk about the lives lost, it doesn't register," Osbon said. "But if you talk about money, for some reason people listen."

The study, done by the National Priorities Project, used IRS and census data to break down war spending. According to the report, the war is costing N.C. taxpayers more than $12 billion.

McHenry was in Gaston County when the protesters gathered outside his office and did not return a call for comment.

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