Thanks, Bush. Start a war we can’t pay for, accuse anyone who questions it of undermining the troops, while reducing their benefits, cutting money for VA hospitals, and keeping people out so long they can’t go back to their jobs. And now this.
They’re fighting and dying in service of their country, regardless of why they were sent over there they deserve better than this, especially when they come home… if they’re so incredibly fortunate.
The government and corporations don’t give a bleeep if individuals live or die, as long as there are millions to support their agenda. As a veteran, I must add this:
And he’s fighting for Canada,
He’s fighting for France,
He’s fighting for the USA,
And he’s fighting for the Russians,
And he’s fighting for Japan,
And he thinks we’ll put an end to war this way.
And he’s fighting for Democracy,
He’s fighting for the Reds,
He says it’s for the peace of all.
He’s the one who must decide,
Who’s to live and who’s to die,
And he never sees the writing on the wall.
Blackwater mercenaries get $600/day. A US soldier with six years of service gets around $55,000/year.
Assuming a standard work year without overtime, that works out to around $104,000 a month. So yes, it was an exaggeration. They make twice as much in a month…
Runar - something’s wrong with the math. Did you mean $6000/day? $600/day is only $75/hour, based on an 8 hour day. My mechanic and plumber earn more than that.
crit - you’re right. I based it on a standard US working year of 2080 man-hours and forgot to translate that into man-days. That works out to around $156,000 a year. that means it takes a newly minted merc about four months to earn what a vet with six years gets in a year. That doesn’t include overtime and other bonuses, which I didn’t have the patience to look up.
That hourly for your mechanic and plumber is probably what they charge, not what they earn. That includes their overhead and other expenses. And if they’re on salary, their actual earnings are probably a lot less.
At the risk of drawing the wrath of many, it should be pointed out that the increase in foreclosures is not related to the occupation of those being turfed out of their homes. Foreclosures are up for EVERYONE for the same simple reason - gullible people were persuaded to borrow more than they could afford to repay by greedy, inept bankers who were under huge pressure to lend the billions of dollars, held largely by foreign countries who had accumulated them by selling oil and cheap imports to…
US!
As the jobs were exported, so was the ability to pay for all of this stuff, but still we buy anything except our own products made in the USA and insist on driving gas-guzzling cars…
I’m struggling to think of someone who cares more about the troops than Mr. Rall has shown he does. Seriously someone help; I’m at a loss.
jgcp1, you are overgeneralizing. Those are not the only reasons that people have lost their homes. Many have upsidedown mortgages or have lost their jobs, so they cannot pay even if they originally could.
I know several people who do not want to find work because their unemployment pays more than any work they could find. I don’t know what to all that other than a failed system.
It is far too late to talk of buying American. That won’t change anything. Buy the best products and learn to take care of yourselves. There is no reverting back to a manufacturing economy now…
“It is far too late to talk of buying American. That won’t change anything. Buy the best products and learn to take care of yourselves. There is no reverting back to a manufacturing economy now…”
Agreed. Let’s put off the throes of socialism as long as possible. For emphasis: “…learn to take care of yourselves.” ‘Nuff said.
kennethcwarren64 almost 14 years ago
I saw one of those “Feel Good All American” billboards today - It shows a picture of the Flag and a fallen soldier and the read “Never Forget!”
I had forgetten just what was it that our fighting men and women died (and are dying) for in Iraq?
Also why do we let our politicans get away with sending them off with flowers and bands, and then forget about them when (if) they come home?
Dutchboy1 almost 14 years ago
Not a smart thing to do: taunt a guy with a gun in his hands.
sirrom567 almost 14 years ago
Wicked, Ted.
Motivemagus almost 14 years ago
Thanks, Bush. Start a war we can’t pay for, accuse anyone who questions it of undermining the troops, while reducing their benefits, cutting money for VA hospitals, and keeping people out so long they can’t go back to their jobs. And now this.
WarBush almost 14 years ago
<=======I see motive read my rant against goatshmit. BTW you’re welcome.
babka Premium Member almost 14 years ago
tell it!
Jaedabee Premium Member almost 14 years ago
Should. Not. Happen.
They’re fighting and dying in service of their country, regardless of why they were sent over there they deserve better than this, especially when they come home… if they’re so incredibly fortunate.
mattro65 almost 14 years ago
The government and corporations don’t give a bleeep if individuals live or die, as long as there are millions to support their agenda. As a veteran, I must add this:
And he’s fighting for Canada, He’s fighting for France, He’s fighting for the USA, And he’s fighting for the Russians, And he’s fighting for Japan, And he thinks we’ll put an end to war this way.
And he’s fighting for Democracy, He’s fighting for the Reds, He says it’s for the peace of all. He’s the one who must decide, Who’s to live and who’s to die, And he never sees the writing on the wall.
zekedog55 almost 14 years ago
So many “Bush dudes” in the construction field I spoke with back in the day refused to believe that “W” and company cut VA benefits.
Ah, the legacy of the Decider….one to savor for the ages.
zekedog55 almost 14 years ago
^ The Blackwater thugs made the big cash—totally obscene and evil, the entire concept of these “squeaky clean” mercenaries!
Think of it…our tax dollars spent on “private security” forces to back up our armed forces. Spare me.
The real soldiers I know will not dignify the mercenary ilk by commenting on them.
runar almost 14 years ago
charlie, only if you’re a private sector trooper. Those Blackwater/Xe guys make as much in a month as a GI gets in about a year.
thekingster almost 14 years ago
Hmmm…can we say, “Exit Strategy?” ‘Nuff said.
Jaedabee Premium Member almost 14 years ago
“Those Blackwater/Xe guys make as much in a month as a GI gets in about a year.”
Agreed, this is a travesty (granted it’s a bit of an exaggeration, but yes, a contractor makes more than an equivalent military individual).runar almost 14 years ago
Blackwater mercenaries get $600/day. A US soldier with six years of service gets around $55,000/year.
Assuming a standard work year without overtime, that works out to around $104,000 a month. So yes, it was an exaggeration. They make twice as much in a month…
crit74 almost 14 years ago
Runar - something’s wrong with the math. Did you mean $6000/day? $600/day is only $75/hour, based on an 8 hour day. My mechanic and plumber earn more than that.
Motivemagus almost 14 years ago
And they get to go home afterwards.
runar almost 14 years ago
crit - you’re right. I based it on a standard US working year of 2080 man-hours and forgot to translate that into man-days. That works out to around $156,000 a year. that means it takes a newly minted merc about four months to earn what a vet with six years gets in a year. That doesn’t include overtime and other bonuses, which I didn’t have the patience to look up.
That hourly for your mechanic and plumber is probably what they charge, not what they earn. That includes their overhead and other expenses. And if they’re on salary, their actual earnings are probably a lot less.
edmondd almost 14 years ago
it’d be funnier if it weren’t so tragic.
it made me laugh though. Now I feel kinda ashamed… thx Ted!
Gypsy8 almost 14 years ago
One thing about a high unemployment rate, it makes the military look good. Recruitment without conscription is politically attractive.
jgcp1 almost 14 years ago
At the risk of drawing the wrath of many, it should be pointed out that the increase in foreclosures is not related to the occupation of those being turfed out of their homes. Foreclosures are up for EVERYONE for the same simple reason - gullible people were persuaded to borrow more than they could afford to repay by greedy, inept bankers who were under huge pressure to lend the billions of dollars, held largely by foreign countries who had accumulated them by selling oil and cheap imports to…
US!As the jobs were exported, so was the ability to pay for all of this stuff, but still we buy anything except our own products made in the USA and insist on driving gas-guzzling cars…
(BTW, I’m a veteran.)
SuperGriz almost 14 years ago
jgcp1,
Don’t you think our fighting forces deserve some protection against foreclosure?
Straytski almost 14 years ago
Oh please, as if this idiot has ever cared about US soldiers.
SuperGriz almost 14 years ago
Which idiot is that? Looking in the mirror again?
Lavocat almost 14 years ago
More borrowed money, more borrowed time … … foreclosure of a dream.
I’m just waiting for the fuse to be lit.
RationalEmpiricist almost 14 years ago
I’m struggling to think of someone who cares more about the troops than Mr. Rall has shown he does. Seriously someone help; I’m at a loss.
jgcp1, you are overgeneralizing. Those are not the only reasons that people have lost their homes. Many have upsidedown mortgages or have lost their jobs, so they cannot pay even if they originally could.
I know several people who do not want to find work because their unemployment pays more than any work they could find. I don’t know what to all that other than a failed system.
It is far too late to talk of buying American. That won’t change anything. Buy the best products and learn to take care of yourselves. There is no reverting back to a manufacturing economy now…
thekingster almost 14 years ago
“It is far too late to talk of buying American. That won’t change anything. Buy the best products and learn to take care of yourselves. There is no reverting back to a manufacturing economy now…”
Agreed. Let’s put off the throes of socialism as long as possible. For emphasis: “…learn to take care of yourselves.” ‘Nuff said.