Chapters 27 - Epilogue - Final Word Summary and Analysis

Wars cost money and Vietnam was a costly war. The administration tried to keep the true cost hidden and this caused public relations problems for them. "The full dimensions of the American commitment could be kept partially secret from the press and the Congress and the allies. But eventually someone had to pay for it, and in the very process of the payment, some of the plans, projections and realities would have to become public," (Chapter 27, p. 732).

Johnson wanted to keep planning for the war as much of a secret as he could. This meant he did not reveal the accurate economic projections or request raises in taxes to finance the war. Administration officials gave various estimates of the cost of the war but failed to raise taxes. This would result...