There are two ways to look at the administration’s no-bid contracts. First, it can be seen as an abuse of power. Perhaps the contracts were awarded to friends of Bush and Cheney. Perhaps the contracts were a repayment for monetary support for their campaign. On the other hand, maybe the contracts should be given to trusted friends. Reconstructing Iraq is a top priority for our country right now, and it seems right to allow people who have developed trust with the president to be in charge of our efforts overseas. How should we expect him to place such an arduous task in the hands of someone he doesn’t know?

No matter the reason for their appointment, it seems Halliburton has abused its privilege and has overcharged us for their job of delivering gasoline to Iraqi citizens. The Pentagon claims Halliburton has charged $69 million over what it should have. Where did that money go? Halliburton claims it made a poor decision with its own contracts with other independent companies and it paid more than it should have. Seems like a pretty poor excuse.

While campaigning in Iowa, presidential hopeful Howard Dean said, “George W. Bush is preventing entire nations from bidding on contracts in Iraq so his campaign contributors can continue to overcharge the American taxpayers.”

President Bush has jumped all over Halliburton in the public eye demanding repayment if an overcharge has occurred. At this point, I really don’t know who to believe. However, I do disagree with Dean criticizing the president for not considering companies from countries who said no to war. After all, why should we allow these countries to reap the benefits of a war they refused to take part in?

I was not in support of the war either, but the fact that it has occurred changes things. We have a duty to follow through on rebuilding Iraq. It is our duty. For countries like France to cry “foul” because their companies aren’t being considered is ridiculous. They want to benefit economically from the rebuilding of Iraq, but at the same time have no interest in politically rebuilding it.

Only time will tell how this situation plays out. One thing is for sure though — only companies of countries who supported us in our efforts should be considered for contracting.