President Obama signed the 2010 defense appropriations bill into law this morning, following a brief bit of legislative theater by Republicans who wanted to
$2.6 billion for V-22 aircraft for the Marines and Air Force.I wish the Marines had just gone with the UH-60 Black Hawk two decades ago. Now the Marines have dug a hole that is killing the rest of their aviation. It makes me wonder whether the Marines, the smallest of the armed forces, should be in the business of technology innovation.
$1 billion for Navy F-18s.Lots of money for an airplane that is, well, yeeehh. Better spent on unmanned combat aircraft?**
$4.4 billion for two Navy destroyers and one littoral combat ship**.** Yow. Maybe it is time to start buying warships from South Korea, or at least invite competitive bids? Folks, this is billions, not millions. Imagine what $4.4 billion could do to rebuild our highways, or send deserving kids to college, or rebuild New Orleans.