The Rich Get a Lot Richer with Iraq

A group of about 30 attended the Cheyenne screening for "Iraq for Sale" at the Unitarian Universalist Church tonight. Was I surprised by the revelations that big Republican donors such as Halliburton and Blackwater Security are raking in the dough in Iraq? No, but the size of the rip-offs are staggering. The CEO at Halliburton, Dick Cheney's employer before he joined the U.S. Government, made more than $42 million in salary in 2004. Meanwhile, Halliburton and KBR employees continue to get blown up in Iraq. The last time I checked the blog Iraq Coalition Casualties, seven U.S. contractors have been killed since Sept. 1. Of course, more than 100 U.S. troops have died during that time.

Halliburton doesn't care. The Houston-based company keeps getting contracts from the U.S. Government for substandard services in Iraq. Padded contracts and shady dealings are the rule rather than the exception. And the contributions from KBR and CACI and Blackwater keep rolling into the campaigns of Republicans, including our own Rep. Barbara Cubin and Sen. Craig Thomas.

One of the best things about "Iraq for Sale" was the DVD extras, such as a 15-minute segment about how bills and amendments geared to make civilian contractors accountable have fared in Congress. Poorly, is the short answer. Party-line votes have sunk amendments from Sens. Leahy and Dorgan and Rep. Waxman. It's clear -- not a thing will happen to reverse these corporate rip-offs until one or both houses of Congress goes to the Democrats. To do that, thoughtful people need to get out and vote by the droves.

I wonder how these corporate fat cats sleep at night. Do you ever think about that?