More Enemies = Greater Profits

What is the psychology of an administration that creates more enemies? Everybody marvels at how we've somehow created more terrorists out of the Iraqupation yet nobody realizes that may be the truest sign of success for BushCo. Wait, you say- I thought we were supposed to make the US safer and reduce the number of terrorists? Yet we now have a rising number of enemies and are currently firing more than 1 BILLION bullets a year at them. This is actually creating a shortage of ammunition for our own police departments at home. As with any situation, if you follow the money, you get the answers, and the answer is this: the Defense and Munitions industries are making a killing (pun intended) on this war. They have made profits on every war because their greatest customers are enemies. Hence, two important facts: one, the more war and number of enemies, the greater the profits. Two, without war and enemies, there are no profits. Therefore, endless war and increasing enemies because it's all about the bottom line.

We have kept ourselves in military operations since WWII not to make us safer or to bring freedom to the world, but chiefly to keep our Defense and Munitions industries alive and profitable. I'm not saying that there haven't been reasonable and righteous reasons for us to be involved in military conflict at certain times since WWII. But the Iraqupation may be the greatest misuse of our military power in our nations history and contrary to popular belief, it has not backfired, at least not for those making money off it. Aside from Defense and Munitions, don't forget the outsourcing of security to companies like Blackwater, creating a parallel army larger than our official one but without the accountability and honor (lest you think that any Blackwater employee killed will be buried at Arlington with a ceremony and a medal). And do not forget Halliburton and KBR, who have not just made tons of money but have actually managed to lose a bunch of it. They are under investigation for bribery, bid rigging, defrauding the military and illegally profiting in Iran. Their answer? Move their headquarters to the UAE. And did you happen to know that the UAE has no extradition treaty? Check it out. How patriotic of Dick Cheney's favorite nation-building company.

It is too idealistic to hope that the people running the Defense industry would have some sort of act of conscience that would make them more concerned with good policy than with obscene profiteering. And it is also too idealistic to hope that Congress can stop BushCo from this great and treacherous collusion with the Media Industrial Complex. Those of us who voted for Democrats who would put an end to this madness are hugely disappointed that they have been unable to make it happen. Truth is, we need 60 votes for that kind of change and we don't have it. Yet. But more than that, we need outrage from American citizens to build into a roar that our government cannot ignore. And until this government of the people is truly reclaimed, endless war will continue. And enemies will increase in size and animosity towards us.

If you are a Democrat living in a district represented by a Republican still supporting the war, you are in a greater position to make a difference than someone living in a Blue state. Are you mad as hell yet? Get madder. Write, call, petition, canvas and start pushing for the change necessary to make the tide turn. Let your representative know that their next election will depend on their vote in Congress and that as of now, they have failed you, failed America and failed our brave troops fighting overseas for a Defense industry that cares nothing about them. The shame is not on those who want to end this war but on those who sent our men and women into a war that will never be won. It is not just about ending this war but ending the illusion about why we are fighting. And until we care enough to stop this madness, we are all complicit in it's inherent evils.

Please do check out my previous post Enemies and Customers about this issue.

Comments

[peterg76]

People always act surprised at the disconnect between rhetoric and reality. You'd think they get used to it at some point.

(The surge, for example, is a fabulous success, because the goal is to force the Iraqis to "voluntarily" give up their oil, hence everything humanly possible has been done to prevent stability in Iraq. And yes, the neo-cons meant for that to happen all along.)

The reason it's out of control now is that Little George is a sociopath, meaning the military-industrial complex is no longer constrained by pesky reality-based limitations like lives and money. At least not oil company lives and money.

[Oldchef]

Good post, but you failed to mention the other big profiteers, the oil industry! The price of oil has more than tripled since the invasion of Iraq, incrreasing the value of all their domestic wells, as well as the Bush family's great and good friends in Saudi Arabia. Bush will refuse to leave Iraq until they sign the oil agreement giving a share to the Sunnis, but giving control of the majority of the Iraqi wells to the international oil companies.

[centsworth]

I'm a little confused here. I thought it was a deal between Roosevelt and the Saudis years ago that made us great and good friends. We do use a lot of oil don't we?

[BadChristian]

"We have kept ourselves in military operations since WWII not to make us safer or to bring freedom to the world, but chiefly to keep our Defense and Munitions industries alive and profitable."
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Isn't that what the founders had hoped for?

The most powerful and brutal aristocracy in the history of the world, making the planet a safe place for fat, white guys with "beer hats" and riding lawn mowers... And "Security moms?"

[olephart]

Bush Jr., unlike his father, is a complete idiot. You have read him like the comical but deadly farce that he is. Prior to this abomination of an administration the malfeasance of the Military Komplex was at least cloaked in a semblance of respectability. Now it is openly flaunted. Even so, it is recognized for what it is by only the few. Most ignore it and are simply bored with the nasty little War and the inkompetent Kommander who rants about its necessity. The valiant 29 percenters remain as klueless as they are kowardly; supporting their draft dodging Princes from the safety of their komfortable verandas.

Bush Senior was able to pull off a Kold War Koup seamlessly. With the demise of the Soviet Union the Military Komplex faced its greatest enemy, Peace. To forestall this nemesis an enemy was required to take the place of the Kommunist threat that had been the mainstay of fear for forty years. Bomber Gap, Missile Gap, Window of Vulnerability all of the Kold War Krap that removed Trillions from the Treasury, GONE! An enemy had to be found! Enter Saddam, our junk yard dog, recipient of weapons and intelligence. The one we fought along side of in the Persian Gulf against Iran. The one we rescued from bankruptcy. The one who when he lined 200,000 men up next to Kuwait we told "But we have no opinion on the Arab-Arab conflicts, like your border disagreement with Kuwait." The one Bush Sr. double crossed. The one we allowed to stay in power so we could build bases in "their Holy places" to contain him. The one we needed to keep our Military Komplex going.

Effortlessly, seamlessly all with a patriotic wave of the Flag Bush Sr. started the events that led to 9/11. His invasion and Military incursion into the Gulf region sparked bin Laden and gave birth to Al Quaeda. Bush Jr. has taken the family business out into the open like Gotti did for the Mafia.

[BobinLA]

Problem is, most Democrats are a part of the media military industrial complex, and won't change much of anything if elected. Hillary and Bill have long sold out to the MMIC. Obama doesn't have the power base or experience in my view to stand up to them. Dennis can't be elected, as we're told every day, so we believe it. Edwards may be our best hope.

But unless we also elect true progressives to the House and Senate, whoever is elected as President will end up like Carter--frustrated and blocked at every turn.

I'm not optimistic that the country is willing to build a grass roots organization that can create true change. It will likely take a major recession (or depression) or a disaster like a war with Iran (and the draft to support a wide-ranging war in the Middle East) for people to stand up and say "enough is enough." By then it will likely be too late anyway. It's called fascism, and we're nearly there already.

[KaneandAbel]

Nearly? Nearly? What more will it take do you think that will make US a fascist state? We are already there, my friend. Thats no conspiracy theory.

By every count that could measure a fascist state, this Media-Military-Industrial complex run by the republican and the pliant democrats is a fascist state. Unless progressive ideas are taken street by street and explained to each and every citizen, we are doomed. Forget abortion and other such ideas that are used by these fascists to keep the flock tightly leashed! Just focus on explaining the money trail that benefits the Republicans (Ron Paul is an exception though) to solidify the structures of this fascist state. That could work!

But I doubt it though. With 28% (those supportiung Bush still and who also do not know who wrote Midsummer nights dream) crazies, 25% feeding off the Media-Military-Industrial Complex, and 15% religious sheep; you have the unbeatable majority.

[outnow]

The old slogan from Vietnam was: "War is good business, invest your son."

Krupp in Germany armed both sides of the many conflicts in Europe for centuries.

[charon]

Yes, the enormity of the betrayal of Americans by bushco and their friends is truly astonishing. Of course, manufacturing enemies is not the only way greater profits are generated by that gang of thieves and traitors. Like they said in "The Producers," a failure can be more profitable than a success; a "failed" occupation and pacification is far more profitable to the military industries than a quick victory and end of hostilities.

The bushco traitors keep pouring our tax money into that money hole in the desert, with what to show for it? Even mixed with the blood of the victims of their chicanery, nothing good comes of it.

[DeanOR]

Absolutely. From the viewpoint of the "defense" (meaning war) industries, Bush and his war are a huge success.
In return, these industries pay a lot of the bills for right wing warmongering politicians' election campaigns and pro-war lobbyists.