Bush: Massive Deficit, Big Profits for Contractors

[VaLabor]

Bush is NOT expanding government programs. He's increasing government spending. But it's all on private contractors (and some faith-based organizations that help turn out the evangelical vote, for good measure). More taxpayer money will be put into the hands of companies like Halliburton and Bechtel.

And those contractors no longer have to pay a prevailing wage, thanks to Bush's suspension last week of the Davis-Bacon Act. So the contractors will cut wages and take in even more profit.

There is no redistribution of wealth here, except for the transfer of taxpayer money to Halliburton stockholders.

I mean, come on. Grover Norquist is all over this. He's HAPPY.

Norquist pushed for suspension of Davis-Bacon. He's pushing for the suspension of more laws. And more privatization. And more profit. And more poverty.

[K-W]

1. They are looting the country in front of everybodies eyes. nt

[daninthemoon]

2. I'd like to see a list of the "faith based organizations", and exactly

what they have to do with NO. Don't suppose robertson is anywhere on the list.

[bullimiami]

3. its all cost plus. so why even bother to cut the wages? spite?

they will still pay the managers and insiders handsomely but the grunts will be getting screwed real hard.

[VaLabor]

6. well...

It won't be all cost-plus for long. Watch.

[bklyncowgirl]

4. From the US Treasury to their pockets.

George really is turning into a communist.

From each according to his ability to each according to his greed.

[LSK]

5. how did you get a copy of the REAL speech? n/t

[msgadget]

7. Ding Ding Ding!

You win the prize for cutting through the b.s. so completely!

[Solly Mack]

8. Yeppers

[valerief]

9. That's precisely what I heard tonight

Oh, and he CARES.

[libertarian_democrat]

10. Hardly "privatization"

Bush is a statist and always has been. Economic freedom means nothing to him. As has been pointed out, he uses the goverment to enrich his corporate statist allies.

Anyone who confuses this man with an advocate of capitalism understands neither him or capitalism.

[VaLabor]

11. ok...

Explain what IS privatization, then, if it's not turning over government functions to private enterprise?

FEMA relief is contracted out to Bechtel.

Army Corps of Engineers reconstruction of levies is turned over to Halliburton.

[libertarian_democrat]

12. Privatization is....

The recognition that the state is the cause of most every problem and subsequent dimunition of the role of the state at all levels.

That is, there should have been no government money to GIVE Haliburton in the first place! This article put it pretty well.

"When governments act to provide services to individuals, they are done within a very different context than what occurs when private organizations provide services. The post-Katrina services performed by the Red Cross and other organizations such as civil groups and churches did not come with the threat of force attached to them. Church volunteers cannot arrest or even kill someone in those circumstances, but a representative of the government can perform such things without recrimination (and on more than one occasion did just that post-Katrina).

Moreover, government services are performed in as visible a manner as possible. Anyone who has watched some of the post-hurricane coverage has seen press conference after press conference after photo-opportunity of government officials from President George W. Bush to mayors, governors, FEMA and military personnel and the like, people whose job is to be seen doing "good" for political constituents. These things are done with the podium and the TV camera in mind.

The FEMA official who waved off the Wal-Mart truck was correct; FEMA did not "need" Wal-Mart to help. In fact, people from FEMA did not want Wal-Mart to help, as the company would have been able to steal some of the thunder that 'rightfully' should belong to FEMA and other government agencies."

Until we recognize that government is BY DEFINITION an instrument of coersion - not a force for benevolence - we'll have more Katrinas and more inept responses.

And less freedom.

[newyawker99]

13. Hi libertarian_democrat!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[libertarian_democrat]

14. THANKS!

So nice to get a friendly welcome!