Letter: Investment in war makes sense

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2002 | 8:59 a.m.

Those of us who don't have insider information have taken a beating in the stock market.

Not only has the economy gone into the tank but also the insiders have a habit of cooking the books and running off with the cash. It's part of a system called "deregulation," or screw the investor. Investing has as many theories as any form of gambling, and I've got one of my own.

I figure politics is about money and who gets it; so if you track the politicians, you might make a bundle. Some people track Warren Buffett, but I watch guys like Vice President Dick Cheney. Take the "New War on Saddam," as TV calls it.

None of the "reasons" for war make any sense unless you discover it's all about that untapped oil resource Iraq has. I figure I'll wait for the war to start. Oil prices will spike down. Then I'll dump my 401(k) into an oil stock fund -- maybe something heavy on Halliburton. I'll make a killing along with the whole Bush administration.

You may think that is an immoral way to make a few bucks, but, hey, our leaders have shown us the way! Besides, where else are you going to put what's left of your retirement money?

JERRY BITTS