Can We Ask For A Refund?

As the U.S. throws more money into the black hole known as Iraq, the Iraqis are swimming in oil money and running a surplus, as the Associated Press reports:

"The Iraqis have a budget surplus," said U.S. Comptroller General David Walker. "We have a huge budget deficit. . . . One of the questions is who should be paying."

Walker and the other [U.S.] auditors did not give a figure as to the likely surplus. U.S. officials contend that Iraq's lack of spending is due primarily to Baghdad's inability to determine where its money is needed most and how to allocate it efficiently. Two senators have called for an investigation into the matter.

Democrats say the assessment is proof that the Iraq war as a waste of time and money. The U.S. has spent more than $45 billion on rebuilding Iraq. And while officials in Iraq contend that much progress is being made, many projects remain unfinished and U.S. troops are still needed to provide security.

I guess if Iraq doesn't pay us back all the money we've spent on them, we can repossess it. Oh wait, we did that already.