Surprised? Cheney Lied.

While campaigning in 2000, Vice President Cheney told us he was no longer connected with his former employer, Haliburton.

Cheney was on ABC in 2003 repeating his claims,

"I've severed all my ties with the company, gotten rid of all my financial interest. I have no financial interest in Halliburton of any kind and haven't had, now, for over three years." source

But it's reported that Cheney earned a 3000 percent profit off of his Haliburton stock last year.

Cheney earned 44 million dollars while working for Haliburton, a job he obtained after he resigned as Secretary of Defense. Would you be surprized to learn that while Cheney was Secretary of Defense (March 1989 to January 1993) he presided over PRIVATIZING the military and awarding large contracts to the private sector?

An intelligent person has to wonder if the Halliburton job offer was a reward for contracts given out while Cheney was Secretary of Defense. An intelligent person has to ask how the mythical "liberal" US press avoided reporting this story.

According to Wikipedia, "Cheney's net worth, estimated to be between $30 million and $100 million, is largely derived from his post at Halliburton."

There is an excellent article--Cheney's Multi-Million Dollar Revolving Door--available here. Project Censored has detailed reporting and sources for further study.

Meanwhile, war profiteers are running our country.

There is no draft so the wealthy don't have to fight in these wars. The majority of enlistees are people who have to work for a living. As the economy worsens for middle and lower class people the large army bonuses are assisting the recruitment drive.

While the wealthy elite (or filthy rich) are enjoying the best times in American history, homelessness and hunger have risen dramatically.

If the trend continues, the middle class in America will not survive the current Republican economic policies.

In the upcoming November elections will the American people be diverted by wedge issues (gays, flag burning, immigration)* and once again vote against their financial interests?

*I didn't mention the national security issue...it's become a moot point. If the Republican party cannot protect 80 children in the Republican controlled Congress they surely aren't up to the job of protecting millions of American citizens.