Barack Obama and John McCain both talk about Iraq in their issues and policies, but do either one of them give a damn? Do either one of their policies actually give any consideration for the Iraq people? Here's some stuff from their website:
Obama:A phased withdrawal will encourage Iraqis to take the lead in securing their own country and making political compromises, while the responsible pace of redeployment called for by the Obama-Biden plan offers more than enough time for Iraqi leaders to get their own house in order. As our forces redeploy, Obama and Biden will make sure we engage representatives from all levels of Iraqi society—in and out of government—to forge compromises on oil revenue sharing, the equitable provision of services, federalism, the status of disputed territories, new elections, aid to displaced Iraqis, and the reform of Iraqi security forces.http://www.barackobama.com/issues/iraq/John McCain:John McCain believes that economic progress is essential to sustaining security gains in Iraq. Markets that were once silent and deserted have come back to life in many areas, but high unemployment rates continue to fuel criminal and insurgent violence. To move young men away from the attractions of well-funded extremists, we need a vibrant, growing Iraqi economy. The Iraqi government can jump-start this process by using a portion of its budget surplus to employ Iraqis in infrastructure projects and in restoring basic services.http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/fdeb03a7-30b0-4ece-8e34-4c7ea83f11d8.htm So what, Obama says "revenue sharing", McCain says "help the government jump start the economic, employ Iraqis in infrastructure projects", blah blah blah. But what's the real economic issue in Iraq?
L. Paul Bremer's 100 Orders.
Bremer issued 100 orders to "help" Iraq during the time of the interim government. Those orders became law, and hard to get rid of. Basically they were included in an early constitution, they became law, the last constitution doesn't specifically state them but it doesn't repeal them either so they're STILL law. And what you say is Bremer's 100 orders? Who gives a crap?
In short, the corporate rape and takeover of Iraq.
In greater length:
http://www.uruknet.info/?p=42948 "Order No. 39 allows for: (1) privatization of Iraq's 200 state-owned enterprises; (2) 100% foreign ownership of Iraqi businesses; (3) "national treatment" — which means no preferences for local over foreign businesses; (4) unrestricted, tax-free remittance of all profits and other funds; and (5) 40-year ownership licenses.
"Thus, it forbids Iraqis from receiving preference in the reconstruction while allowing foreign corporations — Halliburton and Bechtel, for example — to buy up Iraqi businesses, do all of the work and send all of their money home. They cannot be required to hire Iraqis or to reinvest their money in the Iraqi economy. They can take out their investments at any time and in any amount.
"Orders No. 57 and No. 77 ensure the implementation of the orders by placing U.S.-appointed auditors and inspector generals in every government ministry, with five-year terms and with sweeping authority over contracts, programs, employees and regulations.
"Order No. 17 grants foreign contractors, including private security firms, full immunity from Iraq's laws. Even if they, say, kill someone or cause an environmental disaster, the injured party cannot turn to the Iraqi legal system. Rather, the charges must be brought to U.S. courts.
"Order No. 40 allows foreign banks to purchase up to 50% of Iraqi banks.
"Order No. 49 drops the tax rate on corporations from a high of 40% to a flat 15%. The income tax rate is also capped at 15%.
"Order No. 12 (renewed on Feb. 24) suspends "all tariffs, customs duties, import taxes, licensing fees and similar surcharges for goods entering or leaving Iraq." This led to an immediate and dramatic inflow of cheap foreign consumer products — devastating local producers and sellers who were thoroughly unprepared to meet the challenge of their mammoth global competitors." http://www.orbstandard.com/News/Zeese/Zeese_Corporate_US_Takeover_of_the_Iraq_Economy.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Paul_Bremer-----------------------
Barrack Obama and John McCain say they're for change? Changing what?
"Help the Iraq people"
"Withdraw our troops"
Bull****.
What about giving the the Iraqi country BACK to the Iraqis? And taking it away from the US Corporations. Iraq is a bonafide PUPPET state. That's the REAL issue with Iraq. So why in the hell isn't that being talked about? Because most like McCain and Obama like that situation, and they're not going to change it. Because they're not about Changing Iraq. The only change they'll bring is a new face to the corporate puppet in the Oval office.
Btw.
Bremer's orders are a violation of the Hague Conventions, ratified by the United States in 1907
"Under international law an occupying government has one set of responsibilities, and they're very clear. An occupying government must provide security and basic services. An occupying government explicitly cannot fundamentally rewrite the laws of the country they're occupying. The United States did exactly the opposite; we rewrote the laws, and we didn't provide basic services or security for the people."http://www.stateofthepeople.org/news/BushClearsWayforCorporateDomination.html Thankyou US for breaking another International law. And thank you Obama and McCain for seemingly have no interest in trying to rectify that problem.
How many people even know about the Bremer orders?
