Some of you may be following the Blackwater story. This is a clear example of how money in politics generates policy that favors private economic interest over the public good. Check out this article to learn more about the ongoing story.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071001/ap_on_go_co/blackwater_iraq;_ylt=...
The main problems I see are that:
1) Members of our armed forces, who volunteered to defend the country are paid a FRACTION of what private mercenaries from companies like Blackwater are paid. Men and women in uniform are bound by a code of conduct, while private security firms work under much looser rules and regulations leading to a variety of abuses gone uncharged and uninvestigated.
2) The gross mismanagement of the war that has been sited by both Republicans and Democrats comes as a direct result from the privatization of war-making. People should never forget that defense contractors such as Halliburton, KBR, Lockhead Martin, etc. and private security firms (mercenaries) such as Blackwater have as their number one priority the fattening of their wallets, their bottom lines, and a motivation to make profit. These incentives come in
direct conflict with the concepts of just war theory. When the military-industrial complex (defense contractors and security firms) pump millions of dollars into campaigns they gain an overwhelming influence over decisions to go to war. Erick Price, CEO of Blackwater, was a huge campaign contributor to the Bush Campaign. Blackwater won a no-bid contract to provide security services in Iraq.
3) Over 1/2 of a TRILLION dollars has now been spent in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, much of which has gone to pay private contractors and mercenaries exorbitant salaries. A private Blackwater security guard working in Iraq makes almost half a million dollars a year. To quote Chalmers Johnson, "when war becomes that profitable you are going to see more of it.
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