--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I find it scandalous not only that there…" description: "\"I find it scandalous not only that there was so little discussion of the costs of the Iraq war before we went to war - this was, after all, a war of ch..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a1/joseph-stiglitz-1351_choices_i-find-it-scandalous-not-only-that-there_2148651.jpg" --- # I find it scandalous not only that there was so little… ![“I find it scandalous not only that there was so little discussion of the costs of the Iraq war before we went to war - this was, after all, a war of choice - but even five years into the war, the Administration has not provided a comprehensive accounting of the war.” quote by Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a1/joseph-stiglitz-1351_choices_i-find-it-scandalous-not-only-that-there_2148651.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a1/joseph-stiglitz-1351_choices_i-find-it-scandalous-not-only-that-there_2148651.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a1/joseph-stiglitz-1351_choices_i-find-it-scandalous-not-only-that-there_2148651.jpg) > “I find it scandalous not only that there was so little discussion of the costs of the Iraq war before we went to war - this was, after all, a war of choice - but even five years into the war, the Administration has not provided a comprehensive accounting of the war.” [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The criticism points out the lack of transparent accounting for the Iraq war’s costs, highlighting a failure to debate and disclose financial implications before and after the conflict. **In simple terms:** War costs were not openly discussed or fully reported. Key Takeaway Demand fiscal transparency in war decisions. Themes war budget accountability policy ethics Mood critical concerned Type political analytical When to use this quote - government budgeting - media analysis - public debate - academic research Key Concepts economics political science public finance Questions to Reflect On - Why is war cost transparency important? - How can citizens hold governments accountable? A Different Perspective National security concerns often limit disclosure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Iraq war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iraq-war/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [The message is for everybody who wears the uniform: get ready. The United States will do what it takes to win this war... And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/the-message-is-for-everybody-who-wears-the-uniform-get-ready-the/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Before and during the first phase of the war his administration repeatedly maligned the UN but now, that Iraq has turned into a quagmire,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schuyler/before-and-during-the-first-phase-of-the-war-his-administration/) [Peter Schuyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schuyler/) > [The only people benefiting in Iraq war are George Bush's Jr. friends in the oil industry. He has done the American economy and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/the-only-people-benefiting-in-iraq-war-are-george-bush-s-jr-friends/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [There is a clear and strong link between the economy's present woes and the Iraq war. The war was at least one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/there-is-a-clear-and-strong-link-between-the-economy-s-present-woes/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [I'm writing from New Zealand - a country that decided from the beginning that the War was wrong, and chose not to participate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/i-m-writing-from-new-zealand-a-country-that-decided-from-the/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [This Iraq war has been the most "privatized" war in America's history. It has seen the most extensive use of contractors. The contractors have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/this-iraq-war-has-been-the-most-privatized-war-in-america-s-history/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [The national debt will have increased by approximately 50% in just eight years! We will have created a new unfunded entitlement - disability and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/the-national-debt-will-have-increased-by-approximately-50-in-just/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [ We are helping the people that \[George W.\]Bush says are evil. Teheran couldn't be happier about the high oil prices resulting from the Iraq… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/we-are-helping-the-people-that-george-w-bush-says-are-evil-teheran/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [Most people think the Iraq war has increased the probability of an attack. However, it's difficult to put this aspect into financial terms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/most-people-think-the-iraq-war-has-increased-the-probability-of-an/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [In fact, for just about 1/6 of the cost of an Iraq War, we could have put the social security system on sound financial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/in-fact-for-just-about-1-6-of-the-cost-of-an-iraq-war-we-could-have/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [The country has large unfunded liabilities - social security, health care, and there will have to be some adjustments to these problems. What is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/the-country-has-large-unfunded-liabilities-social-security-health/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [“After ten years of war, I no longer believe in moments of peace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/after-ten-years-of-war-i-no-longer-believe-in-moments-of-peace/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [I am here because I think it was a terrible sin of the west to allow those years of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/i-am-here-because-i-think-it-was-a-terrible-sin-of-the-west-to-allow/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [“the American Colonies. The Seven Years' War left England”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-roscoe-thayer/the-american-colonies-the-seven-years-war-left-england/) William Roscoe Thayer > [“In the Hundred Years’ War that dragged France and England through the 14th century, both sides would have liked to quit but could not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-w-tuchman/in-the-hundred-years-war-that-dragged-france-and-england-through-the/) [Barbara W. Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-w-tuchman/) ## More by Joseph Stiglitz > [I grew up in a family in which political issues were often discussed, and debated intensely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/i-grew-up-in-a-family-in-which-political-issues-were-often-discussed/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [But individuals and firms spend an enormous amount of resources acquiring information, which affects their beliefs; and actions of others too affect their beliefs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/but-individuals-and-firms-spend-an-enormous-amount-of-resources/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [China, with its large emerging middle class, is among the big beneficiaries of globalization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/china-with-its-large-emerging-middle-class-is-among-the-big/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [Trickle-down economics is a myth. Enriching corporations - as the TPP would - will not necessarily help those in the middle, let alone those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/trickle-down-economics-is-a-myth-enriching-corporations-as-the-tpp/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [Some people say we have this inequality because some people have been contributing much more to our society, and so it's fair that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/some-people-say-we-have-this-inequality-because-some-people-have-been/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [It's actually a tribute to the quality of economics teaching that they have persuaded so many generations of students to believe in so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/it-s-actually-a-tribute-to-the-quality-of-economics-teaching-that/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [In an economy, when the government spends more and invests in the economy, that money circulates, and recirculates again and again. So not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/in-an-economy-when-the-government-spends-more-and-invests-in-the/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [The laws of normal economics dictate that lower taxes combined with increased spending will lead to bigger deficits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/the-laws-of-normal-economics-dictate-that-lower-taxes-combined-with/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [A less healthy America is not going to be as productive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/a-less-healthy-america-is-not-going-to-be-as-productive/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [As I noted in my Nobel lecture, an early insight in my work on the economics of information concerned the problem of appropriability -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/as-i-noted-in-my-nobel-lecture-an-early-insight-in-my-work-on-the/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [We noted the psychological problems facing many of the returning from Iraq veterans - of the 700,000 returning veterans, more than a 100,000 have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/we-noted-the-psychological-problems-facing-many-of-the-returning-from/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [World War II was really unusual, because America was in the Great Depression before. So the war did help the US economy to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/world-war-ii-was-really-unusual-because-america-was-in-the-great/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [Moreover, because we chose to finance the way by borrowing, our deficits and debt has soared, and this means we have less room for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/moreover-because-we-chose-to-finance-the-way-by-borrowing-our/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [I've always been sceptical about the notion that the market is a person you can engage in an argument with, and that that person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/i-ve-always-been-sceptical-about-the-notion-that-the-market-is-a/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [The striking thing about America is - it's historically, extraordinary unusual,I don't of any other instance - is that productivity of workers and wages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/the-striking-thing-about-america-is-it-s-historically-extraordinary/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) [Explore all 251 Joseph Stiglitz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) ## More Choices quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/) Alison James > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Movies have power. Power to impact society and the choices we make. I want to entertain, but I also want to say something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/movies-have-power-power-to-impact-society-and-the-choices-we-make-i/) [Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [I don't know that any woman could ever not think about that at some point - even making the choice not to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-watts/i-don-t-know-that-any-woman-could-ever-not-think-about-that-at-some/) [Naomi Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-watts/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) [Browse all 11,466 Choices quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I find it scandalous not only that there was so little discussion of the costs of the Iraq war before we went to war - this was, after all, a war of choice - but even five years into the war, the Administration has not provided a comprehensive accounting of the war.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joseph Stiglitz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/i-find-it-scandalous-not-only-that-there-was-so-little-discussion-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Choices" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/i-find-it-scandalous-not-only-that-there-was-so-little-discussion-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a1/joseph-stiglitz-1351_choices_i-find-it-scandalous-not-only-that-there_2148651.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a1/joseph-stiglitz-1351_choices_i-find-it-scandalous-not-only-that-there_2148651.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a1/joseph-stiglitz-1351_choices_i-find-it-scandalous-not-only-that-there_2148651.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I find it scandalous not only that there was so little discussion of the costs of the Iraq war before we…” — Joseph Stiglitz", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joseph Stiglitz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I find it scandalous not only...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/i-find-it-scandalous-not-only-that-there-was-so-little-discussion-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/i-find-it-scandalous-not-only-that-there-was-so-little-discussion-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```