The Hightower Report: Here comes the Border-Industrial Complex
At last, both Republicans and Democrats are beginning to respond aggressively to economic needs. "It has been a tough time," admits one Washington insider, applauding a new spending proposal that "could help out."
Unfortunately, he and Congress aren't referring to your tough times. No, no – they are rushing to the aid of the multibillion dollar military-industrial complex. The government, you see, has not been getting our nation into enough wars to satisfy the insatiable appetite of Northrop Grumman and other war profiteers for government money. But now they've spied a new place they can militarize with their high-tech, high-cost weaponry: the U.S.-Mexican border.
In recent months, these corporate predators deployed an army of lobbyists to Congress, targeting the immigration issue. "Border security!" is their battle cry. They've already stuffed the Senate's immigration bill with $46 billion for more militarization of the 2,000-mile border, literally turning it into a corporate honey pot. More drones! More electronic gadgetry! More agents needing more weapons! More war toys!
Various corporate lobbyists put their specific wish lists directly into the Senate bill, mandating brand-name purchases. For example, the bill requires the Border Patrol to buy six airborne radar systems from Northrop at $9.3 million each and 15 Black Hawk helicopters from Sikorsky at $17 million apiece.
More at http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2013-08-09/the-hightower-report/ .
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He has such a wonderful way to cut through the bullshit. I love his monthly "The Hightower Lowdown." It's not very expensive - $15 a year?
I still have my issues from when Wuerker was his cartoonist. For those who don't recognize the name, I know you'll recognize the style. There were some awesome cartoons in those issues.
