Would you like to see the American military become privatized. Rumsfield already was leaning towards that policy, and we have seen the US DoD begin to change from a totally public military to more private contractors.

Pros
-private contractor mercenary armies like Blackwater have better guns, vehicles, and armor than the US Army, and Marines.
-it would greatly reduce the bureaucracy of the DoD and other agencies.
-operations would become more streamlined
-firms such as Blackwater have taken an oath to uphold the American constitution, and therefore have lessen their 'mercenary' identity

Cons
-firms such as Blackwater was founded and funded by the Christian-right people and think tanks, with possibly an ulterior agenda
-many empires have seen the fall from hiring mercenaries, such as the Roman Empire
-Machiavellie was known to be strongly against the use of mercenary forces, arguing that they would never 'die for their nation'
-firms such as Halliburton became increasingly intertwined with executive offices such as the Vice Presidency under Cheney and practice operations in all states in order to take advantage of the Congress

These are some great positives. Although some of these our military should already be doing.
I think there is definitely an ulterior motive, and I would love to know what it is. Because something like this is usually always "too good to be true." Also, I don't really think the "American Empire" can fall. If it does, it definitely will be with a bang, and not as easy as the Roman Empire. And as for the "not dying for their nation..." that's the code of the U.S. Military, privatized or not. So I don't think that's an issue.

All in all, I think the positives outweigh the negatives, but I still need a little more convincing before I vote on something like this.

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Believing that McAfee is going to protect you from hackers and viruses is exactly like believing that republicans can actually protect you from terrorists.

When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die.

We already have militias. We don't need our soldiers being mercenaries working for the highest bidder.

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"Duty is the most sublime word in our language. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less." - Robert E. Lee

Blackwater? Aren't they the guys that were selling arms to the other side to keep the fight going 'cause they're making so much money off of it?

Or am I thinking of some other Blackwater?

LOL...

If that were to happen(privatized military), I would riot...

Better guns hey.....lol...

We are the most powerful country in the world(militarily and technologicaly), its not better guns we need, but better politicians

Blackwater is a provate military supprot company made up primarily of former US military personel and notably Special Forces types. They do not serve based on money paid alone...they serve only in places where the USA is already involved.


The SS was a poltical military wing of the Nazi party originally designated as body guard for the Fuhrer 'SS-LAH'. It became the arm that enforced Nazi racial policies(inc extermination) and the military arm of the ideology itself.

There is no comparsion between the two at all.




Most privatization in the military is in terms of supply, specialized security, etc. The intent being to free up military forces to fight the battles. Which is why I chose maybe.
There are problems and benefits..but what they do HAS to be done.


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Private contract types do not have better guns and equipment then the military does.
On and individual basis perhaps the Gucci wearing modified G-3 sporting hired security guys looks beter.....but the guy over there with the usual US outfit has a radio..

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"We make war that we may live in peace"
"...peace is the highest aspiration of the American People. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will never surrender for it, now or ever."
"War critics can no longer credibly argue that we are losing in Iraq, so now they argue the war costs too much."
"Oderint dum metuant"
http://members.cox.net/neddy/bobhope_kerfuffles.wmv
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RnfflRNpwKA
http://youtube.com/watch?v=j-QYIP7o2-A

I think even the stauchest of Libertarians would still agree that the Miliary is the government's business and the government's responsibility.

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^My First Knockout Victory!^

i think its more subject to abuse with increased privatization. no!

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Remedial English - Rule #2:

Always check your answers against Google search results.

Why not privatize hot pockets while we're at it? Give Jim Gaffigan a run for his money.

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Believing that McAfee is going to protect you from hackers and viruses is exactly like believing that republicans can actually protect you from terrorists.

When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die.

this doesn't make any sense. you can't not have a military. you also can't make money at it when there's no war. this doesn't make any sense. no.