SLAVA ZILBER - The ‘completely corrupt’ US lobbying system uses China and Russia to justify military spending

Only the money counts in Washington. 

Phoenix Media Co-op asked nuclear policy specialist Joe Cirincione about the power of the arms lobby in US politics. And he explained how treating China and Russia as enemies helps to justify massive spending on weapons, especially considering that “the defence-industrial complex has got such a hold over Congress”.

Cirincione said:

I worked in Congress for 10 years. I’m telling you – it’s money that matters when it comes to Congress. … They listen a lot more to what the defence contractors have to say than they listen to diplomats or arms control experts. … It’s just too much money.

It’s hard to believe, but members of Congress don’t think it’s a conflict of interest if they’re taking money from defence contractors as political contributions, taking trips funded by defence contractors, and then voting on what kind of contracts those defence corporations should get. They don’t see that as a conflict of interest; but, of course, it is.

 The Weapons Industry's Hold Over Congress. Interview with Joseph Cirincione.

Phoenix Media 

SLAVA ZILBER - The ‘completely corrupt’ US lobbying system uses China and Russia to justify military spending