But Bob, when Putin starts to raise his head near Alaskan airspace, which is near Alaska, we'll need the F-22 to protect us!!

Well you see this whole battle really started with the B-2 stealth bomber.

The military was having trouble getting approval for the funding, so they had to come up with a way to get votes. So the plan was to split up the production of it to literally all 50 states. Atleast one part of the plane would be manufactured in each state.

After seeing how good this worked, they started doing the same thing for all major projects. The F-22 is a perfect example of this. Atleast one piece of the F-22 is manufactured in every state.

If you visit military blogs or navy blogs which are commented on by think-tankers and actual enlisted men, what youll find is an argument that we need the F-22 so we don't fall behind in the world's air forces. This of course is ignoring the fact that the 20 year old F-18 which only costs 40 million is still way ahead of the rest of the world. Most of the world still uses F-16s and even F-4s.

The F-35 on the other hand, is worth funding for the future. Its one single airframe that can be built in 3 variants (for all 3 services) which makes it worth the huge cost of R&D.

Not coincidentaly the argument coming from the senate is about jobs, not about the currently non-existent enemy we need the F-22 for.

I understand the jobs angle a bit, but where were these guys when the suggestion was made to compel GM to produce mass transit in large quantities, which would save the company and produce jobs? They could have done the same thing and required GM to subcontract with companies in every state.

I think as much of it is the chicken-hawkishness of the people involved. They get a hard on looking at these planes and hope that some of the masculinity rubs off of the generals and admirals they hobnob with on these projects. Stepping up production of windmills, buses and light rail (for probably an equal or cheaper price) is wimpish, but funding a few hundred fighters that no one wants somehow makes their wieners feel a little more impressive.

Jobs are certainly important, and we need jobs in this economy, but these are some pretty damn expensive jobs. Billions have been poured into the F-22.

"Here's an example of how the system has Congress by the nards"

It's much worse than that, Bob.

They Rule

Exactly what Eisenhower warned us of!

Of course I'm sure if Fox News displayed his name it would be:

Dwight D. Eisenhower (D)

I'm soooo glad Bob referenced this!

The documentary can (and should!) be watched for free here:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9219858826421983682&ei=p8hHSqP9F5aOqQK09b2LBg&q=%22why+We+fight%22&hl=en

You will not be disappointed. This is an incredible film.

It's excellently done and a MUST SEE!

I hope Bob re-posts the video link on his homepage somewhere.

Please watch and share!

Why We Fight

The Free Video Documentary is on Google Video