War Dangers Don't Deter U.S. Workers

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A31751-2004May16?language=printer

Late on the night of April 9, Sylvia and Allen Petty sat on the front porch of their small rental house here in the hill country northwest of Austin and talked about the future. With six daughters, ages 4 months to 14, it was the only time of day they had to themselves, what they called their "midnight dates."

They had been discussing for a couple weeks the idea of Allen Petty, 31, going to Iraq. Two fellow truck drivers at his company in the adjoining town of Marble Falls had already left for jobs as truck drivers for KBR, a subsidiary of Houston-based Halliburton Co.

That very day, insurgents in Iraq had attacked a KBR convoy and killed four contract employees. But Allen Petty's $30,000 salary just didn't stretch far enough. The family had no insurance, no money for movies or new clothes, no savings, no credit, and their car was on loan from Sylvia Petty's father.

"We really prayed," Sylvia Petty recalled. "This is a beautiful town, but we're not making it here. I told him, 'Baby, you have to go.' "

31 years old, six kids and no hope for a better future! Fundie cannon fodder, fer sure!

Bush's full employment plan...and the foolish Republicans will praise this nonsense all the way to their graves.

...if you get bumped off, what does your family get from KBR?

on edit - never mind

This is the face of opportunity for BushCo's America. Pathetic choices for the working poor.

When people making foolish choices to hit the big time didn't literally risk their lives.

There are always speculative fortune seekers. They don't always end up killed attempting to colonize a foreign country.

That's why there are a lot of single Moms in the military too.. There are very few jobs for single Moms that pay enough to have medical insurance for their kids..

People are so stressed out these days that they are willing to play "russian roulette" with their lives to make some money..

For a mid-to-lower class kid with B's & C's, there will be no college..(except for a few classes at the community college,...if they can even GET the classes they need).. There will only be the "service industry" jobs..the ones that start at $7.50 an hour.. The kind of job that guarantees that you will have 4 roommates or will be living down the hall from Mom & Dad, well into your late twenties...The kind of job that will let you get a $750 car, and flea market clothing..

BUT...if you join up with Uncle Sam, you get a "free" college education after you "do your time"..(if you live that long).. In the meantime, of course, most will fall in love, get married, have a few kids, and even if they do get out of the military, they will be in no position to go full time to college.. They will need a JOB..


For the ones who do not join up, they can risk their lives for CASH...NOW... from KBR..

Not many choices ...none good

I don't even like my husband most days, but I'm not even telling him to go to Iraq. What is with these women? This is the most pathetic article I have read in a long time. The one couple could do better in Austin, but they don't want to be afraid all the time. So he goes to Iraq???? I wouldn't even know what to say to people like this. I just do not understand their thinking at all.

you can't afford. :(

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if there were a better economy, Dad could get a better job. If they voted progressive, a lot of their problems could be solved: health care, food, no predatory lending. Cities might be safer and they could live in Austin without fear. With subsidized child care, Sylvia could work.

not the mission.

It is unfortunate that we have people who can barely survive in the US decide to risk their lives so they can feed their families. Very sad indeed.

i think everyone here knows why they're so broke!