US squandered £21 billion on private contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq

[k98nights]

US squandered £21 billion on private contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq

America has squandered £21 billion on private sector contracts during a decade of war in Afghanistan and Iraq according to a draft congressional report.

By Ben Farmer, Kabul5:14PM BST 24 Jul 2011

Waste, mismanagement and poorly conceived projects mean the United States could have lost more than 15 per cent of the total given out in contracts and grants.

More could yet be lost as US troops pull out of Afghanistan, with the withdrawal risking "massive new wastes of money" because the Afghan government cannot finish costly projects already begun.

The unfinished report has taken three years to compile and offers the most detailed account yet of the magnitude of the contractor workforce which has mushroomed around the conflicts.

America will have spent £128 million on private contracts and grants by the end of September.

The coalition allies rely on hired staff for everything from feeding troops and cleaning latrines to guarding convoys, manning surveillance equipment and building schools and wells.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/8658072/US-squandered-21-billion-on-private-contractors-in-Afghanistan-and-Iraq.html

[cajunrescuemedic]

Yep, ever since they've downsized and outsourced areas in the US Military, they've spent alot more money then they ever hoped to save.

[danmiller]

go figar!!! couldnt be! no way! what happend to good old fashoin K.P duty?

[firefightingjunkie]

Yep, ever since they've downsized and outsourced areas in the US Military, they've spent alot more money then they ever hoped to save.

[/quot

just think all these governors and republicans want to do the same thing. downsize government and state workers and privatize for their buddies

[txwaterfowler]

just think all these governors and republicans want to do the same thing. downsize government and state workers and privatize for their buddies

Uh, that would be reduce the size of government and beurocracy to allow us the freedom to have control over our own lives and livelihoods, rather than sit and work with only what the gov't bestows upon us. Privatization is what built this country! Government needs to get out of the way of people rather than regulate us into the ground!