Why Congress Won't Stop the War in Iraq
Published by Pokerwolf on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 1:49 PM.
They have too much invested in it:
In case it's not clear already, both Democrats and Republicans are involved:
If you're not angry yet, wait till you read this statement:
Translation: "Members of Congress are always objective."
Somehow, I don't think so. Make sure you click through to the entire article and check out the facts that are discussed about certain members of Congress. For example, the person who's earned the most money is anti-war advocate John Kerry.
The mind boggles.
Members of the U.S.Congress have as much as $196 million (€126.2 million) collectively invested in companies doing business with the Defense Department, earning millions since the start of the Iraq war, according to a new study by a nonpartisan research group.
The review of lawmakers' 2006 financial disclosure statements, by the Washington-based Center for Responsive Politics, suggests that members' holdings could pose a conflict of interest as they decide the fate of Iraq war spending. Several members who earned the most from defense contractors have plum committee or leadership assignments, including Democratic Sen. John Kerry, independent Sen. Joseph Lieberman and House Republican Whip Roy Blunt.
In case it's not clear already, both Democrats and Republicans are involved:
The study found that more Republicans than Democrats hold stock in defense companies, but that the Democrats who are invested had significantly more money at stake. In 2006, for example, Democrats held at least $3.7 million (€2.3 million) in military-related investments, compared to Republican investments of $577,500 (€372,000).
Overall, 151 members hold investments worth $78.7 million (€50.6 million) to $195.5 million (€125.9 million) in companies that receive defense contracts that are worth at least $5 million (€3.2 million). These investments earned them anywhere between $15.8 million (€10.1 million) and $62 million (€39.9 million) between 2004 and 2006, the center concludes.
If you're not angry yet, wait till you read this statement:
A spokesman for Blunt, a senior member of House Republican leadership who held at least $15,000 (€9,660) in Lockheed Martin stock in 2006, said the insinuation that lawmakers' votes might be affected by their portfolios is "offensive."
"I don't pretend to speak for other offices, but I am fairly certain that no member would consider their personal finances when voting on issues as important as sending our men and women in uniform into harm's way," said Blunt spokesman Nick Simpson.
Translation: "Members of Congress are always objective."
Somehow, I don't think so. Make sure you click through to the entire article and check out the facts that are discussed about certain members of Congress. For example, the person who's earned the most money is anti-war advocate John Kerry.
The mind boggles.
