Blackwater now has the power to run a candidate for office

[lunatica]

and the power to finance anyone they want in office. You and I can only watch as they do it.

That's what I've been thinking about since yesterday. The Supreme Court's decision has very, very profound consequences.

[lazer47]

1. They also have the fire power to back it up, if you don't like it

[lunatica]

3. Imagine Eric Prince as a Senator

Or eventually as our President.

[H2O Man]

2. Right.

And they have our tax dollars to finance it.

[lunatica]

15. If nothing else they can now be the private police for the powerful wealthy

The more everything gets privatized the more they can hire their own 'law enforcement' troops.

This really is scary

[H2O Man]

17. There is no

oversight, from either the Pentagon or Congress, that insures any degree of loyalty to our country. That's dangerous.

[Toots]

4. And most of their income comes from the American tax payer

Maybe we could introduce a law that says if they accept tax payer money they can not use it to influence elections.

[Robb]

5. Small potatoes.

Sorry, but a company that's only grossed $1 billion in the last six years doesn't exactly sound like the next Microsoft. :shrug:

[lazer47]

6. That is only the billion your told about,, there is a lot more than that

[Robb]

7. Right.

Well, believe that if you want, I suppose. I prefer facts to teeth-gnashing on spec.

[lunatica]

9. So you think they won't try to influence elections?

It's only a matter of time. They can certainly support candidates who support them. Then laws are passed that make them totally legitimate to be used anywhere in the world, including this country.

Think about it.

[Robb]

11. Again, small potatoes.

Sure they can. But why would they bother? Bad ROI.

The price of a senator has gone up a touch since the petroleum money arrived in Washington, oh, FIFTY years ago.

[lazer47]

12. Possibly Halliburton runs Eric Prince as a candidate for Pres,

and suppose he wins,Just what do you think happens next???

[Robb]

13. OMG

...What if Goldman Sachs runs Darth Vader?

I'm sorry, I just don't see either thing happening. Xe is an awful company, but the reputation for power they have is largely spread by, well, us. They're just hired guns, like any other mercenary organization anywhere in the world. That they are largely Americans makes them news.

[lunatica]

14. We'll see

I can certainly envision our new masters, the corporations hiring Blackwater to 'keep the peace' wherever their interests are in this country. And since the corporations will own the judges I don't see anyone taking the mercenaries who kill Americans in the line of duty to court.

[Hubert Flottz]

8. Blackwater and Halliburton are probably cutting Lynn Cheney and

Sarah Palin checks as I type.

[lunatica]

10. You're probably absolutely right on the nail

It would be very naive to think they aren't celebrating their new found power. That and making grand plans.

[Odin2005]

16. Now Scaife and Koch can buy candidates outright. Think about that.