We have a huge budget deficit. The Iraq war is projected to cost 3 trillion dollars. The U.S. has spent more than $45 billion on rebuilding Iraq, much of it disappearing into contractors' pockets.

The irony? Iraq has soaring oil revenues and a massive budget surplus--estimated at $35 billion to $60 billion, accoring to the U.S. Comptroller.

Iraq does not have the capacity to allocate the money without it being wasted or pocketed by corrupt officials.

And we do?

How about we start billing the Iraqi "government" for the reconstruction projects. Let the contractors rip off the Iraqis instead of the U.S.