A few days ago, I posted a story about the Republicans unanimously voting to give $5 billion a year in subsidies to big oil companies, which even oil company executives said they didn’t need.
Well, it happened again. This time, Congress voted to spend $13 billion on not one but two weapon system programs, which (and here’s the kicker) the military doesn’t even want. That’s right, Congress loves the military so much, that they can’t help but waste billions of dollars on completely unnecessary, unneeded, and unwanted weapons programs. In fact, one of these programs will cost so much just to maintain (assuming it ever works) that it will cause funding problems for other weapons systems that the Pentagon does want, and so stands a good chance of reducing our military readiness.
And this time, it wasn’t just the Republicans — joining 227 Republicans in voting for this grotesque monstrosity were 79 Democrats (even though the White House wanted the programs canceled).
And here’s the bonus hypocritical part. In defending this outright gift to General Dynamics and Raytheon (who together spent $18 million on lobbying and $3.7 million on campaign contributions), three members of Congress argued that its cancelation would cost jobs.
I kid you not.
6 Comments
Public financing of elections. Get money out of politics.
Obviously fundwing weapons programs nobody wants and tax handouts to big oil that even they don’t want is more important than Planned Parenthood.
I hope the American swing voters are starting to realize just how big a mistake they made in November.
And I hope the choices we have in November 2012 are better choices – that’s what I am working on 🙂
Every time Democrats get a big win, the GOP spin makes everyone instantly feel like they made a terrible decision.
Every time Republicans get a big win, the GOP legislation makes everyone instantly feel like they made a terrible decision.
LOL CGE
Breaking News….Under the guise of saving the nation there is bi-partisan support for new and creative way to maintain pork spending.
It is ironic though that we are discussing reducing spending that actually creates or maintains jobs, which is a driving force of keynesian economics and rallying point on the blog.
I saw an intereting fact, http://www.federalbudget.com/ , that defense spending has now dropped to #2 in budget behind health and human services in 2010. In 2009 they were tied, but HHS beat out defense by 100 billion last year and also edged out social security.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say the defense contract is going to someone’s cousin. Maybe a friend of the family? Wouldn’t be the first time crooked politicians paid back their contributors of their campaigns. We have to figure out a way to keep campaigns funded only by the person running.
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