Reply #16: Not cheaper, but more palatable politically

[krispos42]

We have about 50,000 or so Blackwater-type armed mercenaries running around in Iraq that get four times what the average GI gets paid.

So for the same money as we're spending on "security contractors" we could probably put an extra 150,000 troops in Iraq. But those would have to be drafted.

The 2004 Republican party platform specifically states that they fully support the all-volunteer army. That means that unless hordes of gun-toting Red Chinese swarm into California, there ain't gonna be any draft.

Republicans swear that "winning" in Iraq is absolutely mandatory to our national security. They are willing to spend the borrowed money from our grandchildren but are not willing to take the political heat for a draft to get the numbers and duration in Iraq to police and secure the country. So, domestic politics trumps national security.

But remember, Obama's the traitor because he won't wear a flag pin every day.

:eyes: