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You go McCain. Keep 'em on their toes.
WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain is taking a new tack in his crusade against the Air Force’s B-21, slamming the service's decision to keep the new bomber’s cost under wraps.
“You are not serving the nation, the taxpayers, they don’t know how much of their taxpayer dollars are being spent,” McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, chided top Air Force officials during a March 8 hearing of the Airland subcommittee. “You and I have a very different view of our obligation to the taxpayers.”
WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain is taking a new tack in his crusade against the Air Force’s B-21, slamming the service's decision to keep the new bomber’s cost under wraps.
“You are not serving the nation, the taxpayers, they don’t know how much of their taxpayer dollars are being spent,” McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, chided top Air Force officials during a March 8 hearing of the Airland subcommittee. “You and I have a very different view of our obligation to the taxpayers.”
McCain Hammers Air Force on Bomber Cost Secrecy
Posted from defensenews.comPosted in these groups: 
Air Force
Air Force
Posted 9 y ago
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This man and his office are very difficult to deal with. When I was working on the C-130 program, we answered to him weekly sometimes almost down to the dime on several programs. Sometimes you have to trust your services are doing the right things and every time you have to stop to answer a congressional, you are stalling the contract and guess what...that drives more dollars to complete and puts the schedule behind. Additionally, some costs are kept secret because of the equipment that goes on them...costs equal certain types of requirements and by showing costs, you have to show the equipment purchased to justify it and then you have tipped your hand to the enemy then our secrets aren't secrets any longer.
I agree we need to watch costs but keep it to the big picture level and go from there. Additionally, be a watchdog on all services...not just one...Don't see him (a Navy veteran) going after cost overruns and secrets on a new sub or ship, or the Army on a new weapon system etc.
I agree we need to watch costs but keep it to the big picture level and go from there. Additionally, be a watchdog on all services...not just one...Don't see him (a Navy veteran) going after cost overruns and secrets on a new sub or ship, or the Army on a new weapon system etc.
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SGT (Join to see)
I've been hot and cold on McCain ever since he became involved in politics. I have always thought his PTSD has kept him from making logical decisions to the point that he gets mad easily.
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Nah, I'm sure that spending multiple trillions on it makes complete sense. After all, we're still fighting multiple wars and have to support with every bit of advanced weaponry we have!
Sure, we may have crumbling infrastructure, bridges, roads, and water systems; our kids may be less educated; and our homeless VETS are still on the streets - but I'm sure none of them will mind as long as a multibillion dollar bomber can drop a few million-dollar bombs on mud huts and tents.
Clearly we NEED these bombers to maintain superiority in killing our enemies! If we don't buy ALL THE BOMBERS, the Communist Russians and Chinese will surely take over the world!
Sure, we may have crumbling infrastructure, bridges, roads, and water systems; our kids may be less educated; and our homeless VETS are still on the streets - but I'm sure none of them will mind as long as a multibillion dollar bomber can drop a few million-dollar bombs on mud huts and tents.
Clearly we NEED these bombers to maintain superiority in killing our enemies! If we don't buy ALL THE BOMBERS, the Communist Russians and Chinese will surely take over the world!
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MAJ Bryan Zeski
Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth - I agree that we need to relook the budgets of all the things. But, take a look around at the infrastructure of the nation and we can see that bridges and roads aren't taking much away from bombs.
IRS - absolutely needs to go away. Institute a "Fair Tax" (essentially a national sales tax and eliminates all income taxes) or a Flat Tax. Eliminate IRS.
Research - Yes, we should probably be more discriminating on what research we do, however, I value a $3million turtle study over dropping a single guided missile on a mud hut.
"Americans need to become more educated..." - YES!
In my little black heart, I wish I could eliminate all taxes and funding for everything and just have the government set up a Kickstarter or GoFundMe campaign for everything it wanted to fund. Want more bombs or a new bomber? Put it on Kickstarter and see if the people want it. Want to fix that bridge? Kickstarter. If it doesn't get the funding and falls into the water, at least the people got what they wanted. High crime in the area? GoFundMe some more cops. Buildings burning down? Too bad the Kickstarter for another firetruck didn't get enough contributions. =)
Sometimes I just want to see the world burn. =)
IRS - absolutely needs to go away. Institute a "Fair Tax" (essentially a national sales tax and eliminates all income taxes) or a Flat Tax. Eliminate IRS.
Research - Yes, we should probably be more discriminating on what research we do, however, I value a $3million turtle study over dropping a single guided missile on a mud hut.
"Americans need to become more educated..." - YES!
In my little black heart, I wish I could eliminate all taxes and funding for everything and just have the government set up a Kickstarter or GoFundMe campaign for everything it wanted to fund. Want more bombs or a new bomber? Put it on Kickstarter and see if the people want it. Want to fix that bridge? Kickstarter. If it doesn't get the funding and falls into the water, at least the people got what they wanted. High crime in the area? GoFundMe some more cops. Buildings burning down? Too bad the Kickstarter for another firetruck didn't get enough contributions. =)
Sometimes I just want to see the world burn. =)
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Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth
Don't give up on it and watch it burn...That will happen in God's time. Until that time we are still here and healthy debates like this are what get things done, and ideas are born. We as broken down vets still have a voice and can make change. As long as I have a heartbeat, I will voice my opinion to my elected officials and maybe one day they will listen. I don't know what the answer is but maybe us old farts can figure it out...we made it this far.
Thanks for keeping the debate civil...too many folks here on RP make it personal...we can agree to disagree and that is what makes us great. Keep the faith.
Thanks for keeping the debate civil...too many folks here on RP make it personal...we can agree to disagree and that is what makes us great. Keep the faith.
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MAJ Bryan Zeski
Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth - I'm not giving up. =) It's just that dark little corner of my heart wants to see people actually get what they ask for - as opposed to what's good for them. Kind of like when you let your kid "sneak" too much candy all at once and they find themselves sick. Sure, it sucks that they get sick, and that makes you feel bad - but the lesson they learn, the hard way, is well worth it. If we have to learn the hard way as a nation, I'd rather it happen now, than 50 years from now.
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