|
Keeping track of funds during a war is not exactly easy. Hell, our government(s) can't even keep track of funds here at home. The Newark, NJ school region could not account for $1 billion a few years back. Is it fraud? Is it illegal? Was it stolen? We have no idea because we do not require sufficient accountability in virtually all spending related to our government. Not being able to track something does not immediately mean that something bad is going on but it certainly raises questions.
Want to talk about the need for closer accounting? Great. I'm right there with you. But it needs to be at a much grander scale than just at the Iraq level. Even if we had outstanding practices here at home under near perfect conditions, I would be inclined to give some benefit of the doubt to the administrators dealing with a situation as complex as Iraq. I have little doubt that there are payouts going to curry political favors and it's not quite like you can ask for a receipt from the recipient.
Additionally, as the pace of expenditure ramps up I suspect there to be more incomplete accounting rather than less. Whether it's Bush or Kerry in charge, the upcoming expenditures will see more of the same. Could it be done better? Perhaps. But I am not about to assume the worst based on the scant information presented about this situation.
__________________
Strive to be more curious than ignorant.
|