After
Blackwater USA’s recent street shoot out in Baghdad, the role of mercenaries in Iraq has
received extra attention in the media. Although they have played a key
role in the occupation of Iraq, these
“private security contractors” have for the most part flown under the
public radar. During the 1991 Gulf War, the troop-to-private
contractor ratio was about 60 to 1. Now they outnumber uniformed
troops, more than doubling the actual size of the occupation force.
Most working people would agree that quality jobs, health
care, education, housing and infrastructure aren't too much to ask for.
Instead, capitalism gives us war, racism, economic turmoil, and
unemployment. It’s not as though the money isn’t there – over $2
billion is spent each week just on the occupation of Iraq – it’s a
matter of priorities. Just imagine how many badly-needed schools,
bridges and hospitals could be built, providing quality jobs for
millions of people in the process.
Millionaire trial lawyer, one time Senator, and former VP hopeful John
Edwards, is now seeking the U.S. Presidency. Like the rest of the
candidates, he seeks to differentiate himself from Bush and even from
many in his own Party, as there is a much-deserved disgust with the
political rulers in Washington. But is Edwards fundamentally any
different from the rest of the bosses’ candidates?