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Why do we tolerate mercenaries at all? Obvious moral issues aside they also shrink our much cheaper pool of soldiers. Shouldn't any government strongly deter its citizens from doing mercenary work? As a civilian I don't want to encounter people like this on my daily life. If want them locked up like any other murderer.

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How are mercenaries different than regular soldiers? One is directly employed by the government, one is contracted by the government. Other commenters here have shown the contractors are nearly entirely defensive anyways.

Economically: we pay soldiers comparatively little. Not sure if that's good or bad but it's certainly different for mercenaries.

Morally: it's different to kill because you volunteered to defend your country than because you need some money.

> Other commenters here have shown the contractors are nearly entirely defensive anyways.

Please prove this.

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