For perspective, we spend about $1 trillion on means-tested welfare programs every year. So 17 years of war would cover about 18 months of welfare spending.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_programs_in_the_United_...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_programs_in_the_United_...
Something tells me that the welfare safety net has more societal benefits than a wage floor, but right now we don't really have a respectable form of either compared to 20 years ago.