UnderseaLcpl,
to answer a couple of points you made, Blackwater/Xe/Triple Canopy/etc. create jobs? Well to the Iraqi hearse people sure, and unfortunately it's been quite a few innocent civilians as was mentioned in the link in the OP.
There are evil people in corporations too and not just in governments. Corporations and big global companies aren't limited by treaties that govern the nations, they can and do crap on things such as human rights and antipollution measures. This serves as the base on which the US wants to build it's new, unrestricted mercenary military.
Yes it's true that the US military based on more or less voluntary joining is a kind of mercenary force in itself. Although for the US military recruiting for cannon fodder in places like the slums and other areas devoid of possibility of eduction etc. could be seen to be quite immoral.
Even if the US military shares some qualities with a mercenary military doesn't mean that it's ok for the US to fight it's dirty wars with a mercenary military or even to create them. This is yet another attempt by the US to try to evade the rules of war and codes of conduct that govern warfare. The issues of torture etc. are another example of the same mindset. By following this route the US is doing exactly what the those that oppose it want it to do, to be the bad guy. That's the only thing the extremist such as Al Queda want, for the US to use mercenary militaries, to torture, etc. That is their victory.
Constructor casualties (another euphemism that includes mercs and similar) in Iraq as to date number 462. That's a pretty high number when compared to the total US casualties in Iraq. A lot of civilian casualties have been caused by the haphazard activities of the mercenary forces, a good example of their conduct is this video that was released some time ago. In the vast sea of violence in Iraq it's more then likely that incidents of acts of violence by the mercenary troops have gone unreported.
Aegis video.
As for the labour union-stuff, not sure what you mean with all that. In Finland the labour unions have done a pretty good job in securing all Finns with basic rights that even Canadians don't have and can't believe when we tell them. Feel welcome to visit and acquaint yourself.