ROMNEY’S NEW ‘MILITARY ADVISORY COUNCIL’ PACKED WITH MILITARY CONTRACTORS
This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by muriel_volestrangler (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).
Source: Think Progress
Mitt Romneys campaign yesterday announced a Military Advisory Council of retired military officers who support his candidacy for president. While many of those on the Council are clearly decorated veterans, boldprogressive.orgs Zaid Jilani observes, one curious aspect of the list is how many of these military figures left the government only to become highly paid consultants and board members to major weapons makers. Romney plans on increasing military spending by more than $2 trillion should he become president (without any plan to pay for it) and perhaps Romneys new supporters plan on cashing in. Jilani lists some members of Romneys council and their defense industry affiliations here.
Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/security/2012/10/18/1044441/romneys-new-military-advisory-council-packed-with-military-contractors/
reflection
(6,287 posts)to underscore the point that Romney has surrounded himself with people that have a vested interest in war.
JohnnyBoots
(2,969 posts)as evidenced by his war council being made of MIC leaders.
qkvhj
(57 posts)Some years ago I retired from the military. I had to take the marketable skills that I had acquired through my military training and experience and find work in the civilian world. First I had to find the jobs where these skills were in demand. Then I had to sell myself and my ability/knowledge to that company to get the job.
If one gets out of the military with computer expertise they do not look for a job fixing skateboards.
These officers retired from the military with a certain set of skills and experience. That knowledge and experience is most valued by the defense industry. Where else does it make since for them to look for employment?
If they flew F-16's and commanded flight squadrons they should apply to be a brain surgeon??? If this was each of you trying to support your family you also would look for employment in jobs that valued your experience and paid you well for that knowledge and ability.
Sometimes we need to back up and apply a little common since to issues.
Ptah
(34,122 posts)If they flew F-16's and commanded flight squadrons, it would make more sense for them
to work for airlines, not advise the president what to do with the military.
reflection
(6,287 posts)We can argue about the post-career trajectories of retired military people if/when Obama wins his second term. My post was meant to advocate a line of attack for the President to achieve his objectives.
chuckstevens
(1,201 posts)If I were President Obama, I would remind people that the makers of weapons were the ones who made it possible for contractors in Iraq making X10 what our soldiers were making and the billions of "missing" taxpayer money. Do we really want to go back to these people having that much control over our foreign policy?
chuckstevens
(1,201 posts)You may be right; I guess that would make him look weak. However, the reality is that a Romney administration (God Help Us) will just be a return to the policies of the Bush administration.
fleur-de-lisa
(14,704 posts)"Do we really want to go back to these people having that much control over our foreign policy?"
still_one
(98,883 posts)alfredo
(60,301 posts)He has to fulfill the Mormon prophecy.
MajPayne2
(202 posts)he was my commander in Korea and he is the dumbest general officer I have ever met. He hides it with his good ole boy schtick
alfredo
(60,301 posts)I was there for AIT.
He led by being loyal to us. He looked after us ditty boppers and other "listeners." One night some Navy Seals jumped one of our unit. The next day Millet went to their commander's office and told him that if they laid hands on any other of his men, he had 3,000 under his command. The Seal commander was wise enough not to cross "Ole Blood and Guts" Millet.
He would pop in on us when we were out in the "VC" village. Sometimes he'd bring some "soldier's Joy." A bit of that took off the jagged edges off the New England winter.
patrice
(47,992 posts)We are war slaves to them.
American Exceptionalism is about killing and death for hire.
underthematrix
(5,811 posts)contractors got the contract to take out Ambassador Stevens and his 3-man team of Navy SEALS? Just asking.
Justice
(7,261 posts)Turbineguy
(40,074 posts)profitable!
Nancy Waterman
(6,407 posts)important story
defacto7
(14,162 posts)Romney wants to privatize war! Oh, that makes sense. This isn't about WWIII, we would be entering the First World Corporate Conflict, or maybe CorpWarI.
elbloggoZY27
(283 posts)Military spending is out of control and so are wars. The three most dangerous countries for the West are Iran, Syria & North Korea which exists on despicable treatment of its citizens.
General MacArthur was right about North Korea way back in the early fifties and it is a worse country today.
At present I do not think that a lot of military spending is needed since I am sure if we had to those three countries would not exist.
What this Country needs is JOBS JOBS JOBS.
Historic NY
(40,037 posts)they exchanged their pensions & uniforms for selling out to the highest bidders.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)You KNOW Dick bragged about how much money he made from war...
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)muriel_volestrangler
(106,211 posts)The article is from Thursday. Please continue discussion in one of the following threads:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021582489
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021571803
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251156244
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021582519
http://www.democraticunderground.com/11791059