More than $300 billion in taxpayer money has been written to fund the war in Iraq, much of which has gone to government contractors responsible for rebuilding the nation we destroyed. Yet, while our servicemen and women and their families are making the ultimate sacrifices, companies loyal to the Bush Administration are busy profiting. Americans deserve to know where their hard earned taxpayer dollars being spent.
The reconstruction of Iraq has included abuse, corruption, deceit, fraud, misconduct and a waste of our tax dollars by these companies. Contracts have been awarded without any competition to a number of contractors to rebuild Iraqi schools, hospitals, government buildings, roads and other infrastructure. We have relied on these contractors to rebuild a war torn Iraq. However, the reality of what our tax dollars produced is little or no progress in fundamental areas.
Iraqis living in Baghdad typically have just two hours of power followed by four hours without. There are cities and regions in Iraq with much less infrastructure that have no access to electricity on any given day. Post-war Iraq reconstruction continues to lack promised institutions such as schools and hospitals, and most importantly the lack of potable water and access to electricity.
Halliburton is just one of many examples of how the "Administration loyalists" are profiting off the war. Halliburton has received the most government contracts in Iraq. They have been paid lucrative contracts to provide food and to make up for the lack of water and access to limited electricity for our troops. Yet, the Defense Contract Audit Agency identified more than $1.4 billion in unreasonable and unsupported charges by Halliburton in Iraq. In some cases, food that was to be served to service members was never delivered. The magnitude of fraud and profiteering on behalf of Halliburton and its subsidiaries is incomparable. Nevertheless, Halliburton with its proven bad practices and records continue to be awarded contracts.
These government contractors are prioritizing profits over reconstructing Iraq and profiteering on our soldier's welfare and the Bush Administration continues to turn a blind eye to these injustices. Enough is enough. We need a new direction in Iraq which includes integrity in contracts, integrity in reconstruction, and an end to war profiteering.