Corruption runs rampant in Iraq, and fact, this fledging democracy that we're bankrolling has been ranked the third most corrupt nation in the world. When you consider that the government has only been in existence for a few years, that's pretty impressive. Is there any doubt that with another few billion of our dollars, the Iraqi government will be able to proudly proclaim, "We're number one"?

From top to bottom, there is apparently no aspect of Iraqi life that is free from corruption. Fuel, water, electricity, medication, school books...you name it and if the government controls it, it can be found on the black market. Says a Shiite tribal leader:

Everyone is stealing from the state. It’s a very large meal, and everyone wants to eat.

Even a spot on the police force we've spent billions to train can be had for a $500 bribe to the Ministry of the Interior. But most disturbing?

Some American officials estimate that as much as a third of what they spend on Iraqi contracts and grants ends up unaccounted for or stolen, with a portion going to Shiite or Sunni militias.

We're helping to finance the very groups that have killed thousands of U.S. soldiers and Iraqi civilians.