[Zeetah]

I keep thinking that instead of spending approximately $1B a day attacking Iran - killing, maiming, hurting people, poisoning the ground, damaging infrastructure, creating a future humanitarian criteria, what if, everyday, we dropped a $1B in cash in $50 bundles?

Would we have a better outcome?

[rich_sasha]

I keep thinking what the world would look like if the Bush wars didn't happen and the money went instead into global development - green energy transition, education, healthcare. How much solar and nuclear does 1.2T USD buy you?

But then I take off my red communist beret off and salute the stars and stripes and remember what really matters.

[jameskilton]

In all seriousness, if I ever had access to a time machine, I would want to see what the world looks like now in the timeline that Al Gore became president. I fully suspect that September 11 is one of those events that, in Doctor Who parlance, is a static point in all timelines, so I want to see how Gore would have responded, and what ramifications that would have had over the next 20 years.

[karmakurtisaani]

Gore might have invaded Afghanistan, or at least start military operations. I highly doubt he would have invaded Iraq.

Also, just reminding everyone that he won the election. Republicans stole Florida, and the Supreme Court approved of it.

[ANerdWines]

just created an account on HN so I could reply to this comment: why the heck did you have to remind me of that! 20 something years removed I had forgotten that little detail and was so happy in my ignorant bliss!

[krapp]

Freedom isn't free. It's got a hefty fuckin' fee.

[tjpnz]

Trump would have to find another distraction from the allegations that he sexually assaulted a minor. This just seemed easier in his mind.

[hackingonempty]

Taking money in taxes and giving it to poor people is the worst outcome for American Conservatives. This way the money goes to contractors that provide materials and services to wage war.

[RhysU]

We ran this experiment already. Obama handed them $1.7B in cash [1]. Not a good outcome.

[1] https://apnews.com/article/united-states-government-fd411341...

[Bender]

And then again [1]

[1] - https://mast.house.gov/2023/11/biden-handed-over-16-billion-...

[inemesitaffia]

That money went to the Mullahs, not the ordinary people.

[RhysU]

Any significant transfer to the ordinary people will flow, in large part, to the government.

Putting cash into a somewhat closed system is particularly inflationary.

So, this well-meaning humanitarian idea of cash transfer (a) funds an authoritarian regime while (b) adding inflation woes to the people it's trying to help.

[burnt-resistor]

But how would billionaires exploit that to stay in power, artificially create more scarcity and uncertainty, and make more money?