--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We hear the term independent contractors…" description: "\"We hear the term independent contractors in Iraq. Independent contractors? Mercenaries!\" — Studs Terkel" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb5/studs-terkel-3020_contractor_we-hear-the-term-independent-contractors_796271.jpg" --- # We hear the term independent contractors in Iraq… ![“We hear the term independent contractors in Iraq. Independent contractors? Mercenaries!” quote by Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb5/studs-terkel-3020_contractor_we-hear-the-term-independent-contractors_796271.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb5/studs-terkel-3020_contractor_we-hear-the-term-independent-contractors_796271.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb5/studs-terkel-3020_contractor_we-hear-the-term-independent-contractors_796271.jpg) > “We hear the term independent contractors in Iraq. Independent contractors? Mercenaries!” [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Equates independent contractors in Iraq with mercenaries, highlighting moral ambiguity. **In simple terms:** Independent contractors may act like mercenaries. Key Takeaway Question the ethics of such work. Themes ethics war labor Mood critical inquisitive Type political analytical When to use this quote - discussing war labor practices - examining contractor roles - debating moral implications - policy analysis Key Concepts mercenary contract work morality Questions to Reflect On - Is it fair to label all contractors as mercenaries? - What safeguards protect ethical contracting? A Different Perspective The term may be a hyperbole, not universally accurate. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contractors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contractors/) [Iraq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iraq/) [Mercenaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercenaries/) ## Related quotes > [Independent contractors - a rapidly growing piece of the workforce - can often achieve the best quality of life. They can choose from where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-webb/independent-contractors-a-rapidly-growing-piece-of-the-workforce-can/) [Maynard Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-webb/) > [Independent contractors don't have the same institutional support that salaried employees do - legal, benefits, insurance, etc.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-auchincloss/independent-contractors-don-t-have-the-same-institutional-support/) [Jake Auchincloss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-auchincloss/) > [At the White House, everybody works for the same person. They're all part of the same company. But on Capitol Hill, they're all independent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-schieffer/at-the-white-house-everybody-works-for-the-same-person-they-re-all/) [Bob Schieffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-schieffer/) > [Why is Caterpillar bad if we create a new job in India or China to receive U.S. exports? It makes no sense to me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-r-oberhelman/why-is-caterpillar-bad-if-we-create-a-new-job-in-india-or-china-to/) [Douglas R. Oberhelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-r-oberhelman/) > [CMS has a track record of successfully overseeing the many contractors our programs depend on to function. Unfortunately, a subset of those contracts for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-tavenner/cms-has-a-track-record-of-successfully-overseeing-the-many/) Marilyn Tavenner > [I've been working with contractors designing and building a house on a nonstop basis since I learned about all these systems of audio, construction,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-fadell/i-ve-been-working-with-contractors-designing-and-building-a-house-on/) [Tony Fadell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-fadell/) > [I guess if you include contractors that are six or seven people working on reddit, but when we got acquired there were basically three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-ohanian/i-guess-if-you-include-contractors-that-are-six-or-seven-people/) [Alexis Ohanian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-ohanian/) > [I have heard so many stories of contractors, and I've met some, too, who worked for Donald Trump, produced the goods and services and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-have-heard-so-many-stories-of-contractors-and-i-ve-met-some-too-who/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Campaign finance and ethics reform only works if it curtails all special interest groups equally and does not carve out any exceptions to benefit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-kean-jr/campaign-finance-and-ethics-reform-only-works-if-it-curtails-all/) [Thomas Kean, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-kean-jr/) > [“Every great building once begun as a building plan. 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Stuff happens - things break, contractors don't come through - but I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/genevieve-gorder/i-will-not-do-work-that-isn-t-done-well-or-right-stuff-happens-things/) [Genevieve Gorder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/genevieve-gorder/) > [Wrestling is a lot like any other workplace. You don't really talk religion or politics. But we are all independent contractors, so we pay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane/wrestling-is-a-lot-like-any-other-workplace-you-don-t-really-talk/) [Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane/) > [A lot of fighters want that freedom to have their own sponsorships. When you think about it, how do you make independent contractors wear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-coker/a-lot-of-fighters-want-that-freedom-to-have-their-own-sponsorships/) [Scott Coker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-coker/) ## More by Studs Terkel > [My epitaph? My epitaph will be, 'Curiosity did not kill this cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/my-epitaph-my-epitaph-will-be-curiosity-did-not-kill-this-cat/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [“It was in ’35—we had this campaign to raise a million tax dollars. In the town of Phillips, one evening, during a blizzard, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/it-was-in-35-we-had-this-campaign-to-raise-a-million-tax-dollars-in/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [I read somewhere that when a person takes part in community action, his health improves. Something happens to him or to her biologically. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/i-read-somewhere-that-when-a-person-takes-part-in-community-action/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [Don't be an examiner, be the interested inquirer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/don-t-be-an-examiner-be-the-interested-inquirer/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [Hope never trickles down. It always springs up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/hope-never-trickles-down-it-always-springs-up/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [I never drove a car. I'm hopeless that way. I press the wrong buttons on the tape recorder. But if the person I'm interviewing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/i-never-drove-a-car-i-m-hopeless-that-way-i-press-the-wrong-buttons/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [To survive the day is triumph enough for the walking wounded among the great many of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/to-survive-the-day-is-triumph-enough-for-the-walking-wounded-among/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [“I’ll never forget that Depression Easter Sunday. Our son was four years old. I bought ten or fifteen cents’ worth of eggs. You didn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/i-ll-never-forget-that-depression-easter-sunday-our-son-was-four/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [All you need in life is truth and beauty and you can find both at the Public Library.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/all-you-need-in-life-is-truth-and-beauty-and-you-can-find-both-at-the/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [Reading a book should not be a passive exercise, but rather a raucous conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/reading-a-book-should-not-be-a-passive-exercise-but-rather-a-raucous/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [I hope for peace and sanity - it's the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/i-hope-for-peace-and-sanity-it-s-the-same-thing/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [“The total cost of the Federal Arts Project was only $23 million. Many of these paintings, sculptures and prints were given to museums, courthouses,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/the-total-cost-of-the-federal-arts-project-was-only-23-million-many/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [I find labels "liberal" and "conservative" of little meaning. Our language has become perverted along with the thoughts of many of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/i-find-labels-liberal-and-conservative-of-little-meaning-our-language/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [“Who knows Bob’s name in this outfit—let alone his lame child’s? (“The last place I worked for, I was let go,” recalls the bank…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/who-knows-bob-s-name-in-this-outfit-let-alone-his-lame-child-s-the/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [The trouble with censorship is that once it starts it is hard to stop. Just about every book contains something that someone objects to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/the-trouble-with-censorship-is-that-once-it-starts-it-is-hard-to-stop/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) [Explore all 142 Studs Terkel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) ## More Contractor quotes > [Why is Caterpillar bad if we create a new job in India or China to receive U.S. exports? It makes no sense to me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-r-oberhelman/why-is-caterpillar-bad-if-we-create-a-new-job-in-india-or-china-to/) [Douglas R. Oberhelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-r-oberhelman/) > [Contractors always pursue large profit, the customer - a high-quality end product in due time and at a lower cost. This struggle never ends,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/contractors-always-pursue-large-profit-the-customer-a-high-quality/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [People believe that companies have always had strategies, dating back at least to likes of Henry Ford or Andrew Carnegie, maybe to the contractors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kiechel/people-believe-that-companies-have-always-had-strategies-dating-back/) [Walter Kiechel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kiechel/) > [The central problem of management is how spontaneous interaction of people within a firm, each possessing only bits of knowledge, can bring about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-august-von-hayek/the-central-problem-of-management-is-how-spontaneous-interaction-of/) [Friedrich August von Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-august-von-hayek/) > [I fell in love with real estate, renovations, and became a licensed contractor when I was 26.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-mcgillivray/i-fell-in-love-with-real-estate-renovations-and-became-a-licensed/) [Scott McGillivray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-mcgillivray/) > [All over the world, the barriers between what is inside an organisation and outside an organisation are being smoothed out. In the military, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/all-over-the-world-the-barriers-between-what-is-inside-an/) [Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/) > [I was a general contractor when I was paying for my first record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-potter/i-was-a-general-contractor-when-i-was-paying-for-my-first-record/) [Grace Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-potter/) > [Had I been more responsible I might have made something of myself as a junk bond trader, long-haul trucker or perhaps a plumbing contractor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brock-yates/had-i-been-more-responsible-i-might-have-made-something-of-myself-as/) [Brock Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brock-yates/) > [“Every great building once begun as a building plan. That means, sitting in that building plan on the table is a mighty structure not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/every-great-building-once-begun-as-a-building-plan-that-means-sitting/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [When it comes to paying contractors, the sky is the limit; when it comes to financing the basic functions of the state, the coffers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-klein/when-it-comes-to-paying-contractors-the-sky-is-the-limit-when-it/) [Naomi Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-klein/) > [Any housing solution that involves paying for industrially produced building materials and commercial building contractors is doomed to certain failure. If houses are to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hassan-fathy/any-housing-solution-that-involves-paying-for-industrially-produced/) Hassan Fathy > [You have tens, hundreds of thousands of people in government, and just as many among contractors, who feel totally comfortable writing at the top…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-gup/you-have-tens-hundreds-of-thousands-of-people-in-government-and-just/) [Ted Gup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-gup/) > [When I graduated from college, I went straight to work for a federal contractor, a desk job, and they were great to me, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/when-i-graduated-from-college-i-went-straight-to-work-for-a-federal/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [I still have a dream of one day - I would love to hire a semi-retired contractor and just build a house - him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-meloni/i-still-have-a-dream-of-one-day-i-would-love-to-hire-a-semi-retired/) [Christopher Meloni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-meloni/) > [Over the last 30 odd years, Democrats have moved to the right and the right has moved into the mental hospital. So what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/over-the-last-30-odd-years-democrats-have-moved-to-the-right-and-the/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) Browse all 109 Contractor quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We hear the term independent contractors in Iraq. Independent contractors? 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