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TechnoratiAn Empire Can Be Terribly Expensive
Forget the spin about WMD's or "Iraqi Freedom" or the "War On Terror." The White House is lying, Congress is lying, and the media stopped asking questions. What we are not told is that Iraq is about oil, war profiteering and a larger plan to control energy resources of the Middle East and Central Asia. This scheme goes beyond our domestic energy needs and seeks to give multinational corporations dominance over global markets while feeding a hungry American war machine.
The recent surprise called "terrorism" is essentially blowback from past covert and official foreign policy targeting the black gold of the Middle East. Our failure to understand the enemy we have created will result in endless cycles of violence without resolving the root cause of "terrorism." Rather than making the world a safer place, the present "war on terror" has become a smokescreen for 21st Century imperialism. This will generate perpetual conflict and an economic addiction to war that may bankrupt our nation in more ways than one. In order to find a solution we must first recognize the problem.
History teaches that imperialism can be terribly expensive. Empires require huge military forces to impose agendas designed by the economic elite. Yet, over time the military cost of maintaining an overextended empire can exceed the value of resources acquired. The brutality used to enforce injustice also creates determined enemies and alienates allies. The "old Europe" refused to join "Operation Iraqi Freedom" having lived through the rise and fall of many destructive empires. The British dumped Blair rather than return to their old imperial ways that eventually became a burden. Slavery is another economic system that eventually became dysfunctional and unacceptable.
The high-tech "shock and awe" invasion of Iraq has been a trillion dollar mistake producing little more than flag-draped coffins, 500,000 dead Iraqis, soaring national debt and global resentment. A largely unreported "benchmark" for the green zone "government" would grant various oil giants like ExxonMobil 80 percent of Iraq's reserves with 20 percent for Iraqis. This robber-baron exploitation will require a permanent occupation as Iraq continues to resist as they did under historic British rule.
The $3 billion per week occupation over 50 years of oil production could become a $7 trillion taxpayer subsidy for Big Oil and the military complex. This is much more than the value of the oil. The public is being deceived and used to further the interests of some of the wealthiest corporations on earth. The human toll in Iraq could be 50,000 dead and 500,000 wounded Americans and millions of dead Iraqis as "collateral damage." But someone has to suffer so that an oil CEO can be paid $400 million while subverting global warming reform. We would be better off purchasing the oil like other industrialized nations rather than taking it by force.
Yet, our imperial presence is well established with over 700 military bases around the world and fourteen new bases in Iraq. Others are in and around Afghanistan to secure gas and oil pipelines through hostile territory that was the downfall of Russia. This empire of bases is growing despite the end of the Cold War and provides military muscle for multinational corporations. And then we have 230 military golf courses around the world for computer screen generals who dream of retiring to a defense industry boardroom or private think tank.
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Halliburton and Cheney and others are doing well for themselves thanks to the "War On Terror" and cost-plus insider contracts. With lies and fear mongering the chicken hawks ignited the most expensive conflict since WWII with no end in sight. Private interests have become public policy through Washington's revolving door of corporate cronyism. Weapons and military operations in the Middle East are have become bigger business than producing oil. Troops in Iraq are outnumbered by "private contractors" including armed mercenaries at $1,000 tax dollars per day operating outside any laws of warfare. Rather than subsidizing endless oil wars we should be developing alternatives to polluting fossil fuels.
Unfortunately, we are paying for this bloody corporate welfare in more ways than one. Iraq's oil production has declined, raising prices at the pump along with record profits. Our floating dollar is beginning to sink due to deficit war spending propped up by international loans. Inflation becomes a hardship for anyone on a fixed income. Our grandchildren will be paying interest on the debt after profiteers have taken their capital and moved on. Escalation of the Vietnam conflict also began with a presidential lie, became a devastating stalemate, was financed with debt, followed by inflation, and left the nation divided. But fortunes were made then as now by prolonging the carnage although leaked Pentagon papers revealed they knew it was a lost cause. When leaders betray our trust, the integrity of our nation and quality of life is changed forever.
The epicenter of this global nightmare is the expanding military industrial complex Eisenhower prophesized would subvert our democracy through "the disastrous rise of misplaced power" by the "conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry." The original draft of this 1961 speech contained the term "military industrial congressional complex," but he chose to not offend Congress with his farewell speech.
Today, the military establishment, arms industry, and Congress act in their mutual self-interest with little public accountability. Campaign donations and lobbyists have turned "lawmakers" into obedient defense industry lap-dogs while the White House promotes corporate wars and sells them to the public. Both military and "intelligence" operations have become increasingly "privatized" along with unprecedented executive secrecy and abuse of power by the incompetent. Public debt for private profit is the game played by an imperial White House and our complicit Congress of invertebrates. Checks and balances and the separation of powers have diminished while militarism is gaining ground. Our constitutional republic has been hijacked and not by Muslims.
As a decorated combat hero, General Smedley Butler said at the end of his career, "War is a racket. It always has been. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many." He adds, "Out of war nations acquire additional territory, if they are victorious. This newly acquired territory promptly is exploited by the few, the selfsame few who wrung dollars out of blood in the war. The general public shoulders the bill. And what is this bill? This bill renders a horrible accounting. Newly placed gravestones. Mangled bodies. Shattered minds. Broken hearts and homes. Economic instability. Back-breaking taxation for generations and generations." He concluded, "We must take the profit out of war."
John Smart lives at 125 Humbolt in Helena.
© 2007 The Independent Record
21 Comments so far
Show AllThanks John for the excellent Letter... yes it's old news, and i wish i never had to hear it...but we need to hear the truth.
The truth is our jingoist fascist leaders are not concerned with the People here or anywhere.
i believe the Bush Crime family needs to be impeached before this can be resolved. Accountability without Justice is just a fraud.
Oh and btw = King Bush can veto the S-Chip with impunity because = kids can't vote!
There's some Blue in Billings = We are marching Aug 6th at 9 am 1201 Grand Ave on the Anniversary of Hiroshima for the end to hostilities and Impeaching Chucklenuts and his band of Killers.
However until we change the way we do biz in the USA the Jingoists will continue to milk us for all we're worth.
A sad but salient issue to also focus on is the murder of Pat Tillman... i believe it has legs back to the "Dirty House"; as well as focusing on the impeachment of the AG.
Thanks again Mr. Smart keep writting.
He may not like the word "empire" (for it is an ugly word to anyone with a shred of humility), but does he really think the English aristocracy went about conquering distant (and near) lands and creating their empire just for the good of the common English people?
Please. Things change, but they stay the same.
Logging in from Billings here...
It's oversimplifying to use colors but I'll do it anyway. I'd say Montana is more purple than anything. It's not as red as one would think. We did recently elect a fairly progressive Senator, Jon Tester, who defeated a rather traditional Republican. Billings is more conservative than Helena, to be sure, but we have a few glimmers of light here in this city.
But back to the article. Yes, it was excellent - pretty much sums up the world the way I see it anyway. Thank you, John.
I think John Smart has it wrong. From the perspective of neocon imperialists and corporate insiders, the cost of this war has been a relative pittance when contrasted with the potential windfall. Of course we the taxpayers WILL receive the brunt of it while our tax dollars are diverted to corporations. But when has it ever really been any different? Taxpayers funded the missle race and numerous wars of American aggression and empire.
Of course empire is expensive. It always has been. But for the common citizens not the ruling classes. Not when you do a cost/benefit analysis.
If Smart seems to believe that this is only the beginning of American empire he is deluded. How is our little adventure all that different from, say American wars with Spain, Mexico, Haiti, El Salvador, Korea, Vietnam in terms of war profiteering, corporatist collusion or benefits to empire?
"It seems the government of the U.S. can't provide health insurance for philosophical reasons..."
I see it as the fix-is-in lobby money/power reasons. Look at the latest S-CHIP battle. Bush says he does not want to expand government health insurance, but he can sign a $50-100 billion dollar drug bill that is lining the pockets of big Pharma.
S-CHIP would take away from his benefactors in the insurance industry. When it comes down to it, the main factors may be as simple as that, hiding in plain sight.
DAMN, John! Nice job. I still can't BELIEVE that the Helena IR printed this piece. It's that ol' Ranger magic that I told you about. You still got it!
LK
Siouxrose, you are right in that people have become fat, lazy, pleasure and money oriented,and self centered. In my lifetime I have witnessed the change from a basic needs society to one that everything imaginable is taken for granted and expected.It is my opinion that people may have actually been happier with much less material goods and much more hard work to do. Our race to keep up with so called progress is driving people up the wall. Granted, many of the new developements are wonderful, but do we have to have all of them immediately? Which is more important, our minds and souls, or an accummulation of oversize houses, vehicles, gadgets, and debts?
There is more than enough for all in this land if we could just slow down a bit, think of others and enjoy life.
This article says it all. thank you.
As a frequent recipient of Mr. Smart's rambling and pontification on numerous issues I can confirm that John occasional nails his topics. Good to know that he has now been recognized for his talents beyond his Montana neighbors who serve as his day to day listening post. Please do post more of his insightful musing on resource wars, imperialism, and imbedded politicians as it hopefully will serve his deep seeded needs for an appreciative audience.
" to the barricades" , anyone?
Is it true that Howard Zinn is now working at this paper , writing under the name John Smart?
Not only should we take the profit out of war, any who seek to profit BY that amoral means should be punished severely. Of course to GET to this objective, to see our elected "leaders" take such an incentive seriously is quite another matter in an era that's essentially become a political pay per view largely financed by those interests that like a vampire, feed on the blood shed by war after war. "God shed his grace on thee." Yesterday I drove to Georgia across green hillsides that were lent surreal beauty by the rays of the sun filtered through clouds. The realization of the miracles granted to us in this amazing land came to me with abundant clarity. For a nation so endowed to abuse its fortune by slaughtering others is nothing short of sin (which means to miss the mark. In this case, the mark constitutes a basic respect for the rights of others to live and thrive in accord with the resources bequeathed to them via their land). It's an apparent metaphor that too many U.S. citizens are grossly overweight because they use too much of everything, claim a disproportionate share given the needs of others around the world. The size of vehicles and homes, the storage space rented because people own more than they can fit in their homes while they simultaneously countenance incredible poverty and suffering that COULD be alleviated if priorities were less selfish. Mankind should be further along its intended evolutionary trajectory by now. As I say often enough, it is largely tradition-based thought & belief that holds minds hostage and allows these disgusting facts of life to continue as IF normal OR satisfying. I read that it costs the average American $1000 for every pound they lose at a health spa. This surfeit of the senses is killing our people... and yet too many argue for MORE of same. It's an INSANE paradigm!
Very concise article by Mr. Smart, and coming from a red state makes it all the better. Although this is well written and shines some light on the bigger picture it is all old news.
I dislike the term empire because it implies that the publicizing of risk and privatizing of profit is in the scheme of things, designed to enhance the Nation engaged in it. While in fact, the strategy used here is specifically practiced to profit the lawmakers themselves. Profit comes in the form of bribes and kickbacks, soaring share prices, campaign contributions, skimming, embezzlement, etc...
But empire building is nothing more than using both the national treasury and the authority to make laws, declare expenditures, subsidies, and regulations to make either direct or indirect profit.
Years ago the elite made their money from a simple unequitable split of revenue. Suppliers of capital got a disproportionate percentage of all revenue as compared to the labor required to produce a good or service. As the economically elite acquired larger and larger fortunes, they were able to invest in research (along with tax payer subsidies in many cases like AT&T) and as a result of progress, became more efficient producers in terms of time and cost. Wage labor costs remained very low, resulting in citizens (workers) being unable to consume ( purchase) all that could now be produced. Thus the need for a global economy. Thus the allure of fossil fuels needed to ship products to new world markets.
Now that China is approaching an American level of "productivity", that is to say, creating a surplus by virtue of an unequal share of profit between workers and ownership, making it economically impossible for it's citizens to purchase all the consumer goods, they too must reach out for global markets. They too will need more and more fossil fuel. Oil's value is increasing even as it's availability is decreasing and is in fact finite.
So our leaders, who just happen to be the owners of this surplus, embark on an endeavor to secure oil at the cost of American and Iraqi lives, tax payer dollars, and foreign loans. China is more than eager to loan the US billions of dollars. Thus lowering the value of the dollar, and ensuring at least partial ownership of the US, by China, when these bonds become due.
Where does China expect to acquire it's needed energy resources as it's own economy becomes larger and larger? One can assume, that in a battle of wits, on a global economical scale, the US against China, is unarmed.
I'm curious as to just how fast this will all play out, but rest assured, it will be ugly for us workers...and jsut as sure is the fact that it will come to an end. The powers that be are positioning themselves to obtain as much of the wealth as they can before the global economy comes to a screeching halt as a result of over production or lack of energy resources. Until that time, poor all over the world will be used as pawns, while the elite amass great fortunes, environment or common sense be damned.
We can stop it but it would require us to refuse to take part in the system. We would have to sacrifice our comfort for our lives. We all know humans aren't prepared to do that, so just brace yourselves.
The high priest of conservatism, Reagan, said, "...government is the problem..."
It seems the government of the U.S. can't provide health insurance for philosophical reasons but can make perpetual high tech war.
Conservatives have led Americans down a rosy path that has benefited a few at the expense of many. It's time for this end.
Conservatism is evil and a threat to American values and freedoms.
"We must take the profit out of war."
I realized this as a young man; however, you hardly ever see it mentioned anywhere in the debate. Now that would be a worthwhile Constitutional Amendment!
It really is pretty simple when one gets past the smokescreen of corporate media and administration propaganda. This is not rocket science. But the smoke-making machines are going full blast to make it difficult for the many to see clearly.
Wow!
Spread the word!
It started back in the 30s when FDR promised the Saudi family protection for oil and then continued in the 50s when the CIA overthrew the elected government in Iran and installed the Shah. Mix in 70s embargoes for supporting Israel and the 80s escorting oil tankers through the Persian Gulf to the 90s Gulf I war and the no fly zones. Now the big oil grab in Iraq under the guise of a War on Terror and you have quite a trail of bad deeds coming home to roost. It has one big mess since and it is not over yet.
Using campaign spending limits to get America better politicians is the only way to solve America's problems enough. If you think "clean money" public financing of our campaigns will bring us enough campaign finance reform, you're sadly mistaken.
It is good to read a brief portion of truth!
Wow! This from a Montana newspaper. I always heard that Montana is pure republican..this sure isn't. Great article I hope it spreads around the world, and your points are straight on!