Fast Fact

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$22 trillion in new energy investment needed

The International Energy Agency estimates that, between now and 2030, $22 trillion in new investment is needed to meet expected demand.

Source
Energy Information Administration 2008 Energy Conference, Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman, NewsBlaze.com, 7 April 2008. http://newsblaze.com/story/20080407083828tsop.nb/newsblaze/WORLDNEW/World-News.html
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WIth one month of Iraq War funding could have...

With one month of Iraq war funding we could have repaired our most critical levees and dams.

Source
“Raising the Grades: Small Steps for Big Improvements in America’s Failing Infrastructure. An Action Plan for the 100th Congress. 2007. http://www.asce.org/reportcard/2005/actionplan07.cfm
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With one month of Iraq War funding could have...

With one month of Iraq war funding we could have bought more than a year’s health insurance for the 4 million children Bush vetoed under SCHIP.

Source
“State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP): Reauthorization History,” The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, January 2008. http://www.kff.org/medicaid/upload/7743.pdf
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WIth one day of Iraq War funding could have...

With one day of Iraq War funding we could have hired 6,921 new public school teachers for a year.

Source
The 2008 Statistical Abstract. Education: Elementary and Secondary Education: Staff and Finances. Table 245. Average Salary and Wages Paid in Public School Systems: 1985 to 2005. http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/08s0245.pdf
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US spendf $10 billion every month on the Iraq War

The U.S. spends $10 billion every month on the Iraq war, a total of $500 billion so far.

Source
Amy Belasco, “The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9.11,” CRS Report for Congress, 9 November 2007. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL33110.pdf
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Bush's vetoed children's healthcare while defending tax cuts for the wealthy

Bush vetoed spending $35 billion over five years to provide health care for 4 million children, while defending the tax break that allows billionaire hedge fund operators to pay a lower rate than their receptionists

Source
“State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP): Reauthorization History,” The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, January 2008. http://www.kff.org/medicaid/upload/7743.pdf
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Tax cuts could be spent on education

The Bush tax cuts for households with annual incomes above $1 million will cost more than the federal government spent last year on K-12 and vocational education. The cuts will exceed the combined budgets of the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Source
“The Skewed Benefits of Tax Cuts,” Center on Budget and Policy Priorities,” 4 February 2008. http://www.cbpp.org/2-4-08tax.htm
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State college tuition rising rapidly

State colleges raised tuitions rose at three times the rate of inflation between 2000 and 2006, putting college out of reach of many families.

Source
United States Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Digest of Education Statistics, 2007. http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d06/tables/dt06_319.asp. (Adjusted for 2007 dollars)
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Investment in early education saves money in later social costs

Every dollar invested in high-quality pre-K education saves taxpayers up to $7 in later social costs – from special education to welfare and criminal justice services.

Source
“Fact Sheets: The Benefits of High-Quality Pre-K” Pre[k]now, 2008. http://www.preknow.org/advocate/factsheets/benefits.cfm
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$1.6 trillion needed for infrastructure

$1.6 trillion is needed over a five-year period to bring the nation’s
infrastructure to good condition.

Source
American Society of Civil Engineers, “Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.” http://www.asce.org/reportcard/2005/index.cfm