Steve Buyer: “Of the $87 billion, those monies which go to pay for our military and our equipment, our military are not mercenaries.…”

“Of the $87 billion, those monies which go to pay for our military and our equipment, our military are not mercenaries. The only cause for which they fight is that of freedom. They do not fight for any bounty of their own. And that should not be. With regard to reconstruction, I think many of my constituents in Indiana supported the military ouster of Saddam Hussein. These very same Hoosiers recognize that if you are willing to invest in the success of the war, you also have to be willing to invest in the peace. Our Hoosiers also know that we are in the middle of a jobless recovery with growing domestic needs combined with a growing budget deficit. This amendment attempts to recognize two very important concerns: investment in the success of a new Iraq, a country with the potential of great wealth, along with the concerns of our budget deficits and growing domestic needs of our citizens. I believe the Pence amendment reflects our culture and our heritage. In an emergency over the years we were there, whether it was a hurricane, fire, flood or even war. Just like the Red Cross or Salvation Army we were always there to respond. And that is exactly what this amendment tries to reflect. In the state of an emergency we are there to help develop the new nation-state and as soon as they are on their feet, then they have the ability to repay.”