Boycotting the Weasels

There are quite a few people promoting the idea of us ignoring certain countries corporations during the rebuilding of Iraq. Specifically, there was a resolution introduced in Congress to prevent any contracts funded by US taxpayer dollars being awarded to companies based in France, Germany, Russia, or Syria. I don't think this is all that great an idea.

If a company based in one of these nations is the most capable and the most reasonably priced for a job, then they should get it. We're going to be pouring a fortune into the reconstruction of Iraq and as a taxpayer who doesn't really care for foreign aid all that much, I want my money to be spent as efficiently as possible.

Now this isn't to say that we shouldn't use our position to our benefit in a case where a coalition company and a weasel country are closely matched. But I really don't think that the weasels would get that many contracts anyway.

One of the great benefits that the coalition nations have going into the reconstruction bidding is that we are basically all built on capitalist economies. Our corporations have been honed on the stone of competition. They are prepared to provide an outstanding service at a reasonable and realistic price. Our socialist weaselist friends have been honed on the largesse of the 35-hour week work. Their only idea of competition is who gets the best parking place for getting out of work early.

Imagine the reaction of the weasels if we put into place a true capitalistic bidding system for the rebuilding of Iraq. They'd be screaming about the inherent unfairness because they don't know how to really compete head to head with coalition companies. Without a corrupt government to bribe, they have no hope of getting any contracts.

Getting a resolution passed requiring the interim government to award contracts based on a capitalistic bidding system in which both price and quality will play key roles will be much easier than a blanket condemnation. That essentially locks 95% of all the weasel nation's companies out of Iraq and the other 5% are companies whose talents we really do need. Congress can effect essentially the same resolution, worded differently, and still give us the political cover of having been kind to those who stood against us by allowing them to assist in the rebuilding. It's the best of both worlds.