by Carissa Baston

Created on: March 12, 2009   Last Updated: March 14, 2009

Absolutely not! We are at war because war is the most profitable empire known to man. The "War on Terror" is an ambiugous marketing ploy shoved down our throats by the Bush Administration. They decided to connect Saddam Hussein to Al Queda so that they could use pursuing him as an excuse to enter Iraq. There is no connection between Al Queda and Saddam Hussein. If the government doesn't lie, I challenge you, the reader, to find one plausible explantation for their connection.

The Bush Administration wanted to have troops in Iraq because we want to control the middle east. US Military bases are posted strategically throughout the middle east. Iraq was yet to be tapped. The Bush Administration exploited the tragedy of 9-11 in order to get our foot in the door in Iraq. Our 'war' is a cash cow for a few select corporations- Haliburton/ KBR, Blackwater (now called xe). These companies "win" contracts with the government to assist the military in Iraq.

It's easy to win when there is no competition. Haliburton is responsible for endagering millions of lives by providing the soldiers with contaminated water. They are responsible for the deaths of many of their employees. They are on a cost plus contract which entitles them to spend as much money as they damn well please and the government reimburses all of it with interest.

Even when the Pentagon questions the expenditures Haliburton is claiming - even when they believe it to be fraudulent - they pay the bill anyway. Oh, did I mention Dick Cheney was CEO of Haliburton before becoming Vice President of the United States? Bush and Cheney are in debted to many crumby, unethical businessmen and the way they pay those bills? WAR. Our soldiers are giving up time with their loved ones. They are sacrificing their sight or their legs or their phsycological well-being.

They are laying down their lives so a few people can become disgustingly wealthy. Iraq doesn't need our help restructuring their government. Granted, they may need help, but it shouldn't be from us. After all, the US Government put the evil dictator Saddam Hussein into power for them. Wasn't that nice of us?

If Obama does only one thing during his term as President, let it be bringing home our men and women as soon as logistically possible. I know those soldiers are serving in the military because they love the USA and want to help others. I also know the government is using them and sacrificing them in order to maintain the trillion dollar enterprise that is war.

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