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Old May 4th, 2004, 06:04 PM
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Default Re: OT: Privatized War

I contend that the current war does not serve the general public interest, unless you believe in the trickle-down effect. It serves the interest of a handfull of large and powerfull corporations - oil companies, import/exporters, construction firms, and military contracters.

If those companies do well, it might stimulate certain other sectors of the economy, but is it really worth the investment for the rest of us? Why dont they foot the bill themselves?

Standard Oil and Lockheed Martin can afford their own 'security contractors,' and they have the most to gain. why not let them fight their own wars?

As can be seen now, plenty of private citizens are willing to sign up for work in these 'security companies' if the price is right. the down side, is that the taxpayer still foots a large portion of the bill. The security companies can pay a higher salary because they dont have to foot the training bill. it costs about 1 million to train each soldier, and the contractors recruit from pre-trained ex-military. so we pay to train them, then they go work for someone else.

perhaps military service should come with a non-compete agreement (like in private sector employment) prohibiting a soldier from defecting to another militant company for some number of years after his military career ends, or until he has served some minimum length of service.
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