That’s right – "Halliburton is an American success story..."
I could hardly believe that is what Dan Deline (Vice President, Government Affairs for Halliburton) wrote to me recently. It appears my candidacy for US Congress has alarmed the corporate bigwigs at Halliburton so much that they were compelled to write me a warning letter to not criticize them (to read the full copy of the Halliburton letter click here).
It seems my efforts to shine a light on the use of armed corporate mercenaries in Iraq and the corruption and waste within contracting operations in Iraq, has struck a nerve with Halliburton’s Washington, DC, special interest lobbying apparatus.
The most interesting claim they make in their letter is, "We can find no contract between the Federal Government and Halliburton."
Really? No Federal Government contracts? They can’t find them? Let’s go to Wikipedia and see what we find:
"From 1995-2002, Halliburton Brown & Root Services Corp was awarded at least $2.5 billion... to construct and run military bases, some in secret locations..." [Mother Jones, June 2003]
"In November 2002, [Halliburton] was tasked to plan oil well firefighting in Iraq... Critics contend that it was a no-bid contract, awarded due to Dick Cheney’s position as Vice President..." [National Review, July 2003]
"As of 2003, Halliburton was still operating in Iran..." [CNN report, ‘US companies are operating in Iran despite sanctions’]
"In February 2004, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on government contractors that use offshore tax havens... Halliburton ranked 30..."
An excellent website that chronicles allegations against Halliburton is HalliburtonWatch.
Halliburton is not a "success story." Their actions are grounds for a full investigation and full accountability including, if necessary, criminal prosecution.
I know what the stakes are when I read Mr. Devine’s opening greeting: "Congratulations on launching your bid to become the United States Representative from the 2nd District in Colorado. We at Halliburton are very involved in your state and currently have over 3,000 employees there..."
Translation: We are watching you. Halliburton is everywhere.
Make no mistake – the perpetrators of no-bid contracts, corruption, waste and offshore tax havens do not want people like me in the United States Congress investigating their actions and holding them accountable.
Now, since Halliburton was kind enough to write and inform me they are watching, I need your help to put them on notice as well that their actions are also being watched.
I am asking you to help me respond to their letter. Post your response letters or notes to Halliburton below. Let Halliburton know what you think about their unpatriotic actions... their waste and corruption... and their claim they do not have any government contracts. I will in turn take your responses and send them to Mr. Deline and make sure he knows that it is we – the citizens of this country– who are watching Halliburton!
Jared Polis
People Power!
www.polisforcongress.com
Colorado, Second Congressional District
Crossposted from Squarestate