By Cernig
A BBC special report on corruption, mismanagement and over-pricing in defense appropriations amounting to $762 billion asked the question: are defense contracts an invitation to abuse?
Yes. Short answer to a dumb question.
What to do about it? Well, start by cutting porkers like Murtha and Reed off at the knees.
And while you're at it, you might want to wonder why Big John always seems to come up with alternative amendments or legislation which hasn't a hope in hell of passing at just the right time to derail legislation that would seriously inconvenience the military-industrial complex which is his biggest campaign donor.
P.S. Want a scary one? Try this: top recipients of defense industry campaign contributions for the 2008 cycle.
1 Dodd, Christopher J (D) Pres $171,300
2 Murtha, John P (D-PA) House $159,950
3 Clinton, Hillary (D) Pres $125,583
4 Reed, Jack (D-RI) Senate $119,867
5 McCain, John (R) Pres $118,450
6 Collins, Susan M (R-ME) Senate $112,750
7 Moran, Jim (D-VA) House $110,200
8 Skelton, Ike (D-MO) House $107,500
9 Reyes, Silvestre (D-TX) House $103,950
10 Levin, Carl (D-MI) Senate $102,800
11 Stevens, Ted (R-AK) Senate $100,700
12 Cornyn, John (R-TX) Senate $99,576
13 Shelby, Richard C (R-AL) Senate $99,300
14 Cramer, Bud (D-AL) House $95,600
15 Sessions, Jeff (R-AL) Senate $83,200
16 Romney, Mitt (R) Pres $82,050
17 Visclosky, Pete (D-IN) House $74,300
18 Young, C W Bill (R-FL) House $73,850
19 Granger, Kay (R-TX) House $71,300
20 Giuliani, Rudolph W (R) Pres $69,100
And you think the Dems are going to halt wars and threats of wars which have been so lucrative for their donors?
Dream on. |
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