Blackwater mercenaries make 4 to 5 times the annual salary a soldier makes.
Blackwater is one among several private security firms employed by the U.S. government in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Estimates are 180,000+ private mercenaries and 168,000-172,000 U.S. soldiers.
2007-09-24 14:55:48 · 9 answers · asked by Kelly B 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Did you know that your tax dollars were paying for these mercenaries?
2007-09-24 14:56:27 · update #1
No we do not.
True, it is up to Blackwater how much they wish to pay their soldiers. However, it is up to the government on how much they wish to pay their soldiers. I have always believed that you should make as much or more risking your life for your nation; someting that you don't do in most civilian jobs.
However, Iraq is a very lucrative business for subcontractors, which is why there are so many of them.
The reason why Blackwater and its fellow mercenaries (yes mercenaries, even though they don't like to be called that, it's what they are ... you're paid to fight and protect Americans in hostile territories, what else are you but a mercenary?) can get away with all of this is because of the lack of accountability. Subcontractors are not accountable.
Corruption, and incompetence have caused a worse problem then the violence, which often overshadows the bigger problem: the humanitarian crisis. Many Iraqis have fled for good reason, even without violence, food is scarce, and disease is rife. Subcontractors, although they are of course, not solely responsible, should be held accountable for their part.
The tragedy is just how much the politicians have lied to the public, not just on the reasons to go to war, but what is happening there. They have intentionally made accountablity difficult. Furthermore, the postwar rebuilding of Iraq should not have been left only to the Pentagon.
In the words of former Marine general Anthony Zinni, "Doesn't make any sense".
2007-09-24 15:09:20 · answer #1 · answered by ch_ris_l 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That does seem like a waste. I could see the point of studying the issue here if it can help reduce the incidence of HIV (which can be both tragic and costly). My guess is it's being studied in Vietnam because you don't have as many legal loopholes that you'd have here with privacy and consent issues. At any rate, the project was initiated in July 2008, during Bush's term, which means it was probably proposed when Republicans had control of the Congress. This is the sort of issues that discredits conservatives when they try to pin it on Obama (and I'm not saying you're doing that). Why wasn't this issue raised during the Bush years?
2016-05-17 22:58:18 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are talking about two different sectors and no, the US doesn't participant in 'worker' wages. This is not a socialist or, communist society nor, should it be.
Aside from that, I am glad that at least a portion of those enlisted to face our enemies abroad are being paid top dollar. In my opinion, after the cuts levied against our military during the Carter and Clinton years, I don't believe our soldiers are being paid enough to justify asking them to lay their lives down for us.
2007-09-24 15:06:57 · answer #3 · answered by wider scope 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Makes perfect sense. Unfortunately, US marines can't funnel a portion of US tax dollars back to the GOP campaigns like Blackwatewr can. At least not in the same magnitude.
It is criminal to see neo-cons decry support the troops while their sovereign, GW Bush, bilks tax payers for billions to line the pockets of defense contractors.
2007-09-24 15:10:37 · answer #4 · answered by Chi Guy 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Blackwater is a private contractor, not government employees like the armed forces.
2007-09-24 14:59:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Private enterprise always earns higher wages than government counterparts
Physicians, police, cooks, pilots-
Try not to look at things so simplistically and you might be able to answer some or most of your own questions before you have to ask them.
Unless of course your intent is to spread libral crap which, on its own, has virtually no merit so you have to inflame the contents somewhat trying to snag some ignorant lemming to your way of thinking - Come to think of it, YA is the perfect place for you.
2007-09-24 14:59:57 · answer #6 · answered by Libsuc 3 · 3⤊ 3⤋
I agree with Navylifer. 100%
2007-09-24 15:46:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Blackwater is a private Company, its not up to the US government what they pay their employees.
2007-09-24 14:58:59 · answer #8 · answered by smsmith500 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Actually, in a just world, everyone in the military would make what athletes make, and athletes would make what those in the military make.
2007-09-24 14:58:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋