It seems you are again into the hypothetical instead of the point of the article. It isn’t that the government *can’t * monitor contractors effectively. It’s that they are purposely not doing it and also preventing others from doing it. It is the intent to allow contractors to bilk the taxpayers out of millions or even billions. It is the intent to create an atmosphere in which, if you’re with us and cooperate and support us you prosper and can enjoy the benefits of having a positive connection to those in power. If you don’t then you’re the enemy, a traitor, a bad American, an aide to terrorism, etc etc.
Where in the article did it say that the government started out wanting to lose millions of dollars, or even give it to preferred people? No, it stated that incompetent people were put in charge and that contractors took advantage of that fact. All it seems is happening is that the government is trying to cover up its own incompetence.
People were appointed to certain positions because of their loyalty to the admin rather than any competence in the job specifics. That means they were more concerned about solidifying their power base and creating a circle of people loyal to their interests. I’m not saying every million lost or wasted or stolen was intentional. I’m saying that that the intent was to use this war for select people to get rich, gain and keep power. They intentionally creating that atmosphere where cheating and over billing is business as usual. The intent was there from the beginning IMHO.
I don’t think they’re smart enough for that actually.
Excuse me, sorry to interrupt.
Rather than the Rolling Stone, let’s try the New York Times.
It’s an ongoiing investigation and it ain’t finished.
According to the film Why We Fight, While Cheney was secretary of defense he gave a company $2,000,000 to preform a study on the effectiveness and feasibility of privatizing certain functions of the Military. Guess which company that was? Surprisingly the report came back saying that was a fine idea. Yes please , let’s let private companies get paid to preform functions oncer done by the military. After he left public service {I threw up a little just writing that} he became an exec in this same company and used his connections to get them millions and millions in contracts. His personal wealth exploded. Then he becomes VP and lies are created to justify war in Iraq. Which company gets huge no bid contracts in Iraq and becomes filthy rich from the blood spilled there?
It’s not that hard to connect the dots. Yeah they’re smart enough, greedy enough, and evil enough. The question I’m concerned about is are we, the American public, determined enough to put a stop to it?
And by putting a puppet on the throne that can’t string two sentences together, they come off as not being that smart.
People are distracted by how stupid Bush acts and ‘his’ decisions seem.
Rather clever.
Not that it matters to you, but I like your drive-bys better when they’re more witty and less bitter. And when they actually have something to do with what the person said.
Liberal, you might want to read Post #30. But then, you probably won’t.
It’s not just corporations who are bilking the government anymore. I saw one of the network news programs recently that said that two women – twins, I believe – had been making money from the Defense Department for nine years. One example that was given was that they shipped two simple mental washers (14 cents each) to Iraq. They charged the Pentagon the actual costs for the washers. It was the shipping costs that were profitable to them: $900,000+. And the Pentagon approved it!
When they were finally caught, one took her own life. The other is either in prison or on her way.
This is why I think there is more of incompetence involved here than some sort of conspiracy. What political connections did these two have to any political party? What political connections did the guy who wrote up his proposal by hand in his hotel room as indicated in the article?
Some of those top dogs in Iraq really need mental washers, and even at 900K, it might be worth it.