But in our corporate-state system, businesses don’t have to kill to promote their interests: that’s the role of the military! (See Gen. Smedley Butler’s “War Is a Racket.”) I am reminded of the Vietnam War era slogan: “War is good business: invest your son!”

The Best of Butler Shaffer

At the end of the NY Times article that Lew posted is this exchange:

“Are you ready to kill somebody?” a sergeant shouted to the privates as they readied for a third agonizing run through the course.

“YES, DRILL SERGEANT!” they screamed before diving into sawdust pits for a crawl under webs of ropes.

I guess that about says it all.

Interestingly, while most of the government bile is directed at businesses such as Enron, I do not recall Ken Lay screaming: “Are you ready to kill somebody?!?”