An Invitation To Fraud

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.