Are you for or against American subcontractors in Iraq?
Moms View Message Board: The Kitchen Table (Debating Board): Are you for or against American subcontractors in Iraq?
Audrey's post made me think.
We also have a friend who is 'thinking' of doing subcontract work in Iraq.
I know they are a country who needs help, but a lot of them (due to belief and upbringing) hate Americans.
I know a lot of these subcontracts do it for the money. Our friend said he will make over $1000 a day (days he works).
What do you think.
I really think only the military should be over there because they are trained for those situations.
I don't want to see any more deaths in this country and sending subcontractors over there just seems to aggravate the situation.
jmho
(I guess it would be kind of obvious) but I agree. I don't think we need to be sending subcontractors over there. Unfortunately, though, as long as there is money to made, people will risk it. Especially men who are trying to take care of their families.
My hubby worked for an electonics manufacturing company before he became a cable tech and before that, he was a paint contractor. He did what is referred to in our work world as "manual labor" boxing electronic products, and painting houses and home repairs, things like that....
I heard on FOX news that enrollment in Tech. schools is down and many folks who are "manual laborers" are quickly becoming unemployed because a lot of big coorporations "send out" for manufacturing, manual labor and assembly line work because they can get the work done cheaper in foreign countries. Even with import costs, it is cheaper than paying Americans to do to same job. The manufacturing company my husband worked for moved to Mexico yet they still make electronics used daily in America. And in the painting, construction, building business, many immigrants (legals and illegals) will work manual labor cheaper and, because of the Mexican culture, the workers will work longer hours and are more productive for less money! I know this because I have a relative who owns and operates a large landscaping business in the more affluent sections of metro Atlanta and he says that Mexican men show up for work at sunrise and work until dark and do more than any American man he has ever hired! Of course, ( I hope, I hope) he makes sure the guys he hires are legal. This is NOT a prejudice remark or meant to be taken the wrong way, it is a CULTURAL thing. Hispanic men are raised that "hard work" is part of what makes them "men".
I say all that to say that American men and women who are construction workers, manual labors, assembly line workers, etc. are becoming unemployed and financially strapped. Then, along comes a job "helping" others and paying $1000 a day! They probably take the risk hoping they can "catch up" financially. I can just hear someone saying, "I won't be over there long, just long enough to get us a little bit ahead and cover some of these debts and then I'll come home and we will have some things covered...etc." Unfortunately, it doesn't take the bad guys long to find them.
Our local news is really covering the Jack Hensley story and this is a pretty accurate "summing up" of what happened. He had a construction business and financial times got hard, he had a lot of trouble finding work and his family (a daughter, 12 or 13) and wife were starting to feel financially pinched. And he was genuinely a nice, generous man who volunteered at his daughter's school and helped out at his church, so the idea of helping others appealed to him. And he accepted the job. I don't know how long he was over there, but the family spokesperson said he had planned to just be over there long enough to cover a few bills and get a little bit financially ahead. Anyway, the family is asking for privacy, the funeral service is a private, small affair and then the family is leaving (moving) out of the area. The FBI is involved, as are our local police dept. (for protection) it sounds as if they are trying to kind of "go undercover" so no terriorists get any ideas about bothering the family. And in lieu of flowers they are asking for financial donations for the daughter's education. So, it sounds like there are still some financial problems there.
I know this is long, but it is background info. on why folks make this choice. It is a combination financial need/helping others choice. And the "blue collar" workers are paying the price. My DH finally made a decision about 9 years ago to go back to school (big financial strain on us) and to get a job a few levels above manual/assembly line labor so he could stay employed. With computers, cable TV and everything going electronic, he feels his financial future is pretty secure right now but if he had stayed in construction/manual labor/assembly line work we would probably really be struggling financially right now! AJ
I am for them being over there, they are there at will, and HIGHLY compensated. I disagree with the rules they have to follow. All the contractors I know who went over to Iraq couldn't carry a weapon. I think they should be trained on weapons, and armed... this is a very dangerous place. But as far as going... that is no different than the men who work dangerous jobs on oil rigs and fishing boats and the such. They are well compensated and choose to take the risk. No one makes them go.
I agree w/Crystal. No one is making them go, everyone knows the risk.
I don't think they should be there. I feel like our military is put in the position of having to protect civilians. I think that we are being sent a clear message with each kidnapping & killing that they are not wanted there. Why give the terrorists the leverage of American Civilians.
Good point Emily7. I did not think of that. It does put extra pressure on our military to have American civilians over there and God knows, the military over there have enough to deal with...
AJ
As far as our military protecting American civilians, let's remember that they are also putting their lives on the line for Iraqi civilians.
I do not feel that we have given this war all the military might that we have at our disposal up to this point. I speculate that for some politically correct reason, the "BIG guns" have not been brought into play yet. Granted, our military was in poor shape when GW took office, but I have more faith in our military capabilities, and I feel we can do better. Yes, our soldiers are spread too thin, what with fighting off attacks and protecting civilians of any nationality. So, what are we waiting for?
If I had the great responsibility for my family who depended on me to provide and protect them, I do not believe that I would go into a war zone and place my life in danger for a few extra bucks.
so what if they are over there for the money. Do you think that they should do it for free?!
I think that if they want to take the risk then go ahead, they are being paid well, but I don't think that it is very smart.
I am tired of people thinking that just becasue someone or a company makes money that they are evil or bad or something. There is nothing wrong with making money!!!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with making money. I am just saying that it is unfortunate that folks feel so much financial pressure that they risk their lives to do it. I don't think there is anything wrong with making money or with being financially comfortable. We have the right to support ourselves and provide for our families and if there is extra, to give to charities. (Actually, tithe is not "extra income" tithe comes out to give to The Lord). But I am talking about charitable donations in addition to tithe. Anyway, the point is, there is not anything wrong with living in abundance and making money.
But when the need for money becomes so great and the financial pressure becomes so intense that a person feels it is acceptable to risk their lives to make a living, I think it is a shame.
AJ
and then the question arises....is it financial pressure or greed?
I can understand that question and of course, I can not speak for every person who ever went over there. But from the news stories and neighborhood stories for the Jack Hensley family it was need. I am from GA and Marietta is only about 30-45 minutes away so the stories are still spreading. Mr. Hensley helped start a volunteer fire dept. and that fire dept. contributed enough money to the family to pay for the daughter's education. As I understand it, the family was in serious financial straits and this was a factor in Jack Hensley taking the job. The rumors are now abounding that the family has gotton donations of thousands and thousands of dollars over and above what they needed and they are going to start or contribute to some type of ministry or charity for others in dire financial circumstances so there is an alternative.
There are other rumors that the family is moving out of the GA area and are going to try to "start over" somewhere else because of the publicity. They are scared that they may be considered a terriorist target.
But, yes, absolutely, pressure, greed, all of it...none of it is worth it.
I had a relative whose family was in serious financial condition a few years ago and he shot himself in the head and left them a note to cash in the life insurance. Of course, the irony was, he was so stressed he wasn't thinking clearly, life insurance policies do not cover suicide so the family was in debt even deeper and now was mourning the man of the house as well.
Money problems are not worth it, unfortunately, many people who are "in it" can't see beyond it and so decisions are made under pressure which are not always for the best. AJ
I have mixed feelings - mixed because I think people should be allowed to do what they want if it is legal, and because of so many other factors. I think it creates an additional burden for our military.
I think any American in Iraq (or anywhere in the Middle East) is a target for assassination, kidnapping, being a hostage, and murder. Each time it creates more support for the murderers/fanatic/militant Anti U.S. terrorists and creates truly terrible headlines here and around the world.
I also think we should be working on training and hiring as many Iraqis as possible. There is a desperate need for jobs and every Iraqi male who does not have a job which will support his family is targeted to be recruited into anti-U.S., anti present Iraqi government activities.
As for allowing U.S. civilians in Iraq to be armed - no. While I recognize they are at risk - terrible risk - they choose to be at risk. For U.S. civilians to start shooting, no matter what the situation, would only make our overall situation there worse (if that is possible).
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