Michael Goldfarb casts a jaundiced eye on the military-industrial complex, wondering what really scuttled the F-22 program.
This is instructive. Especially coming from Rightwing Neocon bastion, The Weekly Standard. Just because we're conservatives doesn't mean we're kneejerk cheerleaders for the defense industry. Of course we shake our heads at the left's demonization of the industry that has kept us safe for the past century, but like any entity that sells things to the US government, they bear watching.
As Sarah Palin said about her tough negotiating with the oil industry on behalf of her state, "They have their job to do and I have mine." No demonization, no capitulation, just brass tacks bargaining on behalf of the taxpayer.
If General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin had their way, we would be spilling over with ships, fighter planes and impractically vast arrays of armaments. This is not a criticism. They are in business to make money, and government is in charge of protecting the country.
Anyway, Goldfarb's article provides an interesting peek inside military procurement, where political ideology takes a back seat to parochial interests and political contributions. In the DC sausage factory, military necessity is often an accidental afterthought, and the military rarely gets exactly what it really needs. Ever resourceful, the men and women in uniform put what they get to good use.
Are you a fan of some traditional conservative cause like defense? Then cheer every opportunity to shine a spotlight on it, for sunshine is the best disinfectant. It prevents the discrediting rot of corruption. Casting a skeptical eye, even upon the objects of our affection, is very conservative thing to do.
Weekly Standard - Michael Goldfarb
