October 24, 2007 9:22 AM

...and Four Billion More Specific Reasons

We are paying contractors $4 billion every year to outsource this war for us.

That's 4,000,000,000 dollars...nine zeroes.

Earlier today we noted the $2.4 trillion we'll be spending over the next decade on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. These numbers are staggering, unreal.

Just as staggering is how little we've held these contractors accountable. Why is it important to hold these private armies to some clear standard? Because whether we like it or not, their actions reflect on our national army; their acts that lead to civilian deaths put our soldiers at risk; their reckless behavior is our national shame...and a national threat.

And there are four billion more reasons to tell Congress: hold these private armies accountable.