I've been asking myself a question for quite awhile, "What drives Pete Hoekstra's desire for eternal war?
Is it possible that the infinite statements from Pete Hoekstra (Lying Dutchman MI-02) like this:
"Our nation faces a serious and ongoing threat from radical, militant jihadists. I fear that some believe that by pushing a date certain for withdrawal from Iraq we will somehow make the radical jihadist threat just go away."
"As the radical Islamists themselves have made clear, it will not, and we need to remain engaged to counter this threat."
Might have something to do with this little fact:
Before the run-up to the Iraq War the lying Dutchman hadn't received campaign contributions from the Defense industry. However, starting in 2003 that all changed.
In fact, Hoekstra's list of campaign contributors changed a LOT...
Pete Hoekstra's Campaign Contributions from the Defense Industry:
2008 Election Cycle
1. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $5,000
2. LOCKHEED MARTIN EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $5,000
3. SAIC VOLUNTARY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $4,000
4. WASHINGTON GROUP INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEEDefense $1,000
5. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
6. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
7. UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
8. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
9. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
10. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
11. SWALES AND ASSOCIATES INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
12. GOODRICH CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
13. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $1,000
14. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $1,000
15. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $1,000
16. SI INTERNATIONAL INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
17. SI INTERNATIONAL INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
18. SAIC VOLUNTARY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
19. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
20. BAE SYSTEMS INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC) Defense (British Defense Contractor accused of “longstanding, widespread pattern of bribery allegations.”) $1,000
21. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $1,000
22. Soimar, Michael
Muskegon, MI 49441
L3 Communications/PRESIDENT (Defense) $500 07/31/2007
23. Meade, Richard
Falls Church, VA 22042
BKSH & Associates/Director (Lobbying firm for Blackwater USA) $250 03/31/2007
24. Bos, Lisa
Washington, DC 20003
Cassidy & Associates/Senior Associate ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $250 03/31/2007
25. Bos, Lisa
Washington, DC 20003
Cassidy & Associates/Senior Associate ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $1,000 09/30/2007
26. Shields, Mary
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Cassidy & Associates/Executive VP ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $500 09/30/2007
2006 Election Cycle
27. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $5,000
28. LOCKHEED MARTIN EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $5,000
29. LOCKHEED MARTIN EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $5,000
30. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $5,000
31. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $4,000
32. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $4,000
33. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $3,500
34. FRIENDS OF ISRAEL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE - FRIPAC Foreign Lobby $2,500
35. ITT INDUSTRIES PAC (ITTPAC) Defense $2,500
36. SAIC VOLUNTARY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $2,000
37. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $2,000
38. SAIC VOLUNTARY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $2,000
39. BAE SYSTEMS INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC) Defense (British Defense Contractor) $2,000
40. GREENBERG TRAURIG LLP PAC Lobbying Firm $1,000 (Bush/Abramoff Lobbying Firm Abramoff worked at Geenberg Traurig.)
41. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $1,000
42. UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
43. UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
44. UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
45. LORAL SPACECOM CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY FUND Defense $1,000
46. LORAL SPACECOM CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY FUND Defense $1,000
47. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
48. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $1,000
49. SAIC VOLUNTARY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
50. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $1,000
51. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $1,000
52. ITT INDUSTRIES PAC (ITTPAC) Defense $1,000
53. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
54. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
55. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
56. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
57. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
58. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
59. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
60. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
61. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
62. GOODRICH CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
63. GOODRICH CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
64. GOODRICH CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
65. BAE SYSTEMS INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC) Defense (British Defense Contractor) $1,000
66. BAE SYSTEMS INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC) Defense (British Defense Contractor) $1,000
67. BAE SYSTEMS INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC) Defense (British Defense Contractor) $1,000
68. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
69. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
70. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
71. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
72. DIGITALGLOBE PAC INC Satellites/Defense $1,000
73. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
74. ADCS INC. PAC Brent Wilkes' Company $1,000 (Money given to charity a year after the donation was made.)
75. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
76. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
77. SI INTERNATIONAL INC POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
78. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $472
79. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $472
80. Gray, Charles
Huntsville, AL 35802
R&G International Inc./Defense Sale $500 07/26/2005
81. Bauer, Fred
Holland, MI 49424
GENTEX/CEO (Defense) $1,000 04/26/2006
82. Bauer, Fred
Holland, MI 49424
GENTEX/CEO (Defense) $1,000 11/03/2006
83. Bauer, Fred
Holland, MI 49424
GENTEX/CEO (Defense) $1,000 08/23/2005
84. Bauer, Lois
Holland, MI 49424
HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER Defense (Wife of Gentex CEO) $1,000 08/23/2005
85. Bauer, Lois
Holland, MI 49424
HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER Defense (Wife of Gentex CEO) $1,000 11/03/2006
86. Bauer, Lois
Holland, MI 49424
HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER Defense (Wife of Gentex CEO) $1,000
87. Soimar, Michael
Muskegon, MI 49442
L3 Communications/PRESIDENT (Defense) $500 04/10/2006
88. Weinberg, Bruce
Spring Lake, MI 49456
L3 Communications/Vice President (Defense) $500 03/14/2005
89. Allen, Terry
Fairfax, VA 22032
Alexander Strategy Group/Partner (Blackwater USA Lobbying Firm) $1,000 02/15/2005
90. Behrends, Paul
Sterling, VA 20165
Alexander Strategy Group/EXECUTIVE (Blackwater USA Lobbying Firm) $500 03/31/2005
91. Behrends, Paul
Sterling, VA 20165
Alexander Strategy Group/EXECUTIVE (Blackwater USA Lobbying Firm) $500 07/26/2005
92. Hall, Gary
Alexandria, VA 22309
The Potomac Advocates/Partner (Defense Industry Lobbying Firm) $1,000 11/08/2005
93. Nichols, William
Fairfax Station, VA 22039
Potomac Advocates/Partner (Defense Industry Lobbying Firm) $1,000 03/31/2006
94. Palowitch, Andrew
Mc Lean, VA 22102
SAIC/EXECUTIVE (Defense) $500 12/31/2005
95. Thomas, John
Reston, VA 20190
SAIC/EXECUTIVE (Defense) $500 12/31/2005
96. Prince, Erik D.
Mc Lean, VA 22102
Blackwater USA Business Owner $1,000 03/31/2005
97. Sojka, Gary
Springfield, VA 22150
Potomac Advocates/Partner (Defense Industry Lobbying Firm) $1,000 03/31/2006
98. Bos, Lisa
Washington, DC 20002
Cassidy & Associates/Senior Associate ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $500 09/30/2005
99. Mihalke, Michael
Washington, DC 20007
Alexander Strategy Group/Partner (Blackwater USA Lobby Firm) $1,000 02/15/2005
100. Neal, Laura
Washington, DC 20016
Cassidy & Associates/VP ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $250 10/21/2005
101. Smith, Duncan Campbell
Washington, DC 20037
Blank Rome LLP/Associate (Defense Industry Lobbying Firm) $500 04/26/2005
102. Prior, Lawrence
Poway, CA 92064
SAIC/EXECUTIVE (Defense) $500 12/31/2005
103. Shea, K. Stuart
San Diego, CA 92121
SAIC/SENIOR VP (Defense) $750 11/30/2005
104. Wilkes, Brent
Poway, CA 92064
Group W Advisors/PRESIDENT (LOBBYIST) $1,000 02/15/2005 (Duke Cunningham defense industry briber)
105. Buckham, Edwin
Frederick, MD 21702
Alexander Strategy Group/Partner (Blackwater USA Lobbying Firm) $1,000 02/15/2005
106. Cox, Larry
Harwood, MD 20776
SAIC/EXECUTIVE (Defense) $500 12/31/2005
107. Flajser, Steven
Bethesda, MD 20817
Loral Space & Communications/Vice P (Defense) $500 06/30/2006
108. Ford, Carl
Germantown, MD 20874
Cassidy & Associates/Executive VP ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $500 09/30/2005
109. McNamara, Dan
Silver Spring, MD 20904
Cassidy & Associates/VP ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $500 10/21/2005
110. Shields, Mary
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Cassidy & Associates/Executive VP ( Lobbying Firm for Phillips Morris and Pakistan) $500 09/30/2005
2004 Election Cycle
111. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $5,000
112. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $5,000
113. LOCKHEED MARTIN EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $4,000
114. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $3,000
115. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $3,000
116. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $3,000
117. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $3,000
118. SRA INTERNATIONAL INC FUND FOR BETTER IT GOVERNMENT Defense (Data Mining) $2,000
119. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $2,000
120. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $2,000
121. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $1,000
122. HALLIBURTON COMPANY PAC Defense $1,000
123. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $1,000
124. EMPLOYEES OF NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION PAC Defense $1,000
125. L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
126. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
127. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
128. ITT INDUSTRIES PAC (ITTPAC) Defense $1,000
129. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
130. BAE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC) Defense $1,000 (British Defense Contractor accused of “longstanding, widespread pattern of bribery allegations.”)
131. BAE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (BAE SYSTEMS USA PAC) Defense $1,000 (British Defense Contractor accused of “longstanding, widespread pattern of bribery allegations.”)
132. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
133. BOEING POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
134. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
135. RAYTHEON COMPANY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
136. LOCKHEED MARTIN EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
137. LOCKHEED MARTIN EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $1,000
138. DYNCORP FEDERAL PAC - AN AFFILIATE OF COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION PAC Defense (Military Contractor and competitor to Blackwater USA.) $1,000
139. ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC EMPLOYEE CITIZENSHIP FUND Defense (Weapons manufacturer) $1,000
140. EARTHWATCH INCORPORATED D/B/A DIGITALGLOBE PAC (DIGITALGLOBE PAC) Satellites $500
141. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $500
142. GENERAL DYNAMICS VOLUNTARY POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION PLAN (GDVPCP) Defense $500
143. LOCKHEED MARTIN EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Defense $500
144. Doyle, Frederick
Evergreen, CO 80439
Space Imaging Corp/EXECUTIVE (Satellite Imaging) $250 09/27/2004
145. Nichols, John
Washington, DC 20002
The Potomac Advocates/Partner (Defense Industry Lobbying Firm)$769 09/30/2004
146. Bauer, Lois
Holland, MI 49424
HOMEMAKER HOMEMAKER $1,000 06/09/2003 (Wife of Gentex CEO)
147. Babiak, Nicholas
Arlington, VA 22205
Skylet Inc. PRESIDENT (Defense Industry Lobbying Firm) $250 10/31/2003
148. Dodd, Joseph
Mc Lean, VA 22102
Space Imaging Corp EXECUTIVE $500 09/27/2004
149. Prince, Erik D.
Mc Lean, VA 22102
Blackwater USA BUSINESS OWNER $1,000 08/24/2004
150. Jacques, Steven
La Plata, MD 20646
Jacques and Associates CONSULTANT $500 11/10/2003 (Defense)
151. Lawrence, Taylor
Annapolis, MD 21403
Northrop Grumman Vice President $250 06/30/2004
152. Peckham, Gardner
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
BKSH & Associates Managing Director (Lobbying firm for Blackwater USA) $500 09/27/2004
153. Wilson, Thomas
Clarksville, MD 21029
EXECUTIVE Swales Aerospace $200 10/05/2004
154. Wilson, Thomas
Clarksville, MD 21029
EXECUTIVE Swales Aerospace $500 10/07/2003
155. Allen, Terry
Fairfax, VA 22032
The Alexander Strategy Group (Blackwater USA lobbying firm) $250 07/27/2004
Of course, I could be wrong... Pete's desire for never ending war could have something to do with the fact that an awful lot of his personal wealth is tied up in the defense, energy, and intelligence related industries?
I used to think that Pete's desire for endless war was because he was just a crazy fundamentalist religious fanatic... Well that is what I used to think, until I spent some time looking at Pete's campaign and personal finances. Then I realized that Pete isn't so much crazy as he is just a greedy soulless **** that is profiteering off the blood of our soldiers and the blood of the Iraqi and Afghani people.
My sincerest hope is that whomever happens to end up the next President of these United States will ensure that those who have used their power and influence to profit off the death and destruction of war are held accountable and punished accordingly.
