What the USA and Zimbabwe Have In Common

You might not think that the US and Mugabe's oppressive regime in Zimbabwe have much in common, but yesterday they agreed on one thing. 147 nations belonging to the United Nations voted in favor of a treaty to limit and regulate the global arms trade. This trade contributes to the death of 1,000 people every day according to some human rights groups. However, the United States, by far the world's largest weapons exporter, and the government of Zimbabwe cast the two dissenting votes.

President Dwight Eisenhower warned many years ago of the growing military-industrial complex. His warnings have gone unheeded. The USA now gives the finger to the world's attempts to reduce violence. Limiting the arms trade, you see, would hurt our precious economy. And who cares if we indirectly contribute to the deaths of thousands of people around the world? At least it is making us money.