This editorial appeared in The (Tacoma) News Tribune.
"My hope is that . . . the members of Congress will rise above parochial interests and consider what is in the best interest of the nation as a whole." – Defense Secretary Robert Gates, on weapons program cuts
Good luck with that, Mr. Gates.
Really, what were the chances that members of Congress whose home districts are heavily dependent on Pentagon spending would look approvingly on Defense Secretary Robert Gates' proposed program cuts?
The howling started almost before he finished unveiling his 2010 budget priorities.
Although legislators from affected districts are expected to pressure President Obama to overrule Gates, the commander in chief should stick to his guns, so to speak. Military priorities, not home–district jobs, should determine where defense dollars are spent.
Gates' proposed cuts are likely to be as keenly felt in Boeing country as anywhere. They include a halt on further orders of the F–22 Raptor, a futuristic fighter jet that Boeing has a one–third interest in building, and the C–17 cargo planes often seen flying in and out of McChord Air Force Base.
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