Making Money Off Iraq

In the days of the Roman Empire people used to compete to be awarded positions of responsibility in her various outposts. From one far-flung corner to another plums like Tax Collector and Customs Officer were wildly sought after, even to the point of being passed down from father to son.

Lest you think that the people of the ancient world were filled with a burning ambition to serve their emperor in whatever way possible, those were two of the positions in which individuals saw the most potential for the lining of their own pockets with gold. Unlike those higher up in the chain of command, these lower offices provided plenty of opportunities for wealth, while requiring little outlay in return.

Unlike the governor, who received a cut from every office by the way, who had to host formal occasions and maintain a sizeable staff, these men were able to operate with a minimum of expenses and a maximum of potential for reward. As long as they weren't stupidly greedy and did anything that would draw attention to their activities, they were set for life.

I'm sure that it was taken to be accepted practice by the central powers, and a studiously blind eye was turned to all such activities. As long as the Empire was getting its expected return it didn't much care what individuals did out in the field. How else were you going to convince someone to leave the comforts of Rome to go the damp and wilds of Britain if there wasn't the opportunity to come home far wealthier than when you left?

Ten years or so after starting one of these positions a person who played their cards right could be set for life. There was little or no auditing of the books or whistleblowing back in those days. As everybody from the guard at the customs shed to the governor was getting their cut, it was in all their best interests to see that the system was maintained.

So the recent revelation of the horrendous mismanagement of funds in occupied Iraq should come as no surprise. A U.S. government audit has revealed that tens of millions of dollars supposed to be used for the rebuilding of Iraq has either been squandered or is simply unaccounted for.

Article Author: Richard Marcus

Richard Marcus is the author of the What Will Happen In Eragon IV? and The Unofficial Heroes Of Olympus Companion, both published by Ulysses Press. He has had his work published in print and online all over the world including the German edition of Rolling Stone Magazine and www.Qantara.de. …

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