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Politics : Fahrenheit 9/11: Michael Moore's Masterpiece -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: American Spirit who wrote (818)	6/28/2004 8:07:36 AM
From: Rock_nj	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 2772

Good question?!? The answer lies in the whole reason why we're really over in Iraq. To make profits for Halliburton, ExxonMobil, etc. Obviously, it would make a lot more sense to have some $30K Army grunt, who has much more training in self-defense, driving those trucks than some $200K contractor. A long time ago, the wealthy elites figured out that the defense establishment was the perfect venue for unlimited profiteering. The possiblities for siphoning off public monies is endless. All they have to do is create a war hysteria and the money starts flowing like water. Works every time. Which is one of the reasons we've had so many damn wars in the past 50 years. There's no incentive to avoid war. In fact, the incentive to to start and prolong wars, so as to continue this transfer of wealth. Another tactic used by these crafty individuals, is to arm both sides in a conflict, to make twice the profit and to further prolong the war. American servicemen and women are just chattel in this grand profit making system. Which is why it amazes me that there are always so many suckers ready to join up. PT Barnum was right about one being born every minute. The losers in this who game of war profiteering are always the American people (unless you're among the elites). It's the average person's services that are cut to pay for the war effort. We as a nation have suffered due to these policies. Our infrastructure and investment in human capital have lanquished as our government persues this never ending cycle of war. It will be interesting to see if anything changes under Kerry?

To: American Spirit who wrote (818)	6/28/2004 9:58:07 AM
From: exdaytrader76	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 2772

A 2nd LT makes $30K, a PFC makes closer to $13K. 50% of the soldiers are E1 to E4, making $13 - $18,000 per year. money.cnn.com afoaf is an 18 y/o PFC. He makes about $1,000/mo to drive a truck around Baghdad, delivering howitzer shells. homepage.mac.com For many, the chance to earn upwards of $80,000 -- tax free -- was all the reason needed to leave their creature comforts and enter a war zone. (with KBR) Now not only does this foaf have what I consider to be one of the worst jobs on the planet, he makes a fraction of what a KBR civilian employee gets paid ... and he has to pay taxes.