Jobs not handouts

I'm with Joe on this one. (post after my thoughts)

I watched the completion between Boeing and Lockheed for the contract to build. The plane has many interesting gadgets and goodies about it. What got my attention was the information that was given about the age and status of our existing Large military equipment. According to the program our fleet is made up mostly of ships built for WWII and shortly there after. Although they have held up well they must be replaced.
I didn't know that the USS Enterprise is now over 30 years old did you?
Our aircraft is not in much better shape. There planes in use that were used in Viet Nam, that ended 37 years ago.
I feel, that if we wish to be as free as we are, here in the USA, we must insure that freedom.

Like most people I hate the thought of war, let alone the being at war.
It would truly be a wonderful world if we didn't have to have the ability to defend ourselves.
But in this real world we must have that capability and it must be maintained.

In doing so people make a living.


Senate vote blocks plan to add F-22s

Obama administration wins effort to cease production of fighter
By Kristina Sherry Tribune Newspapers
July 22, 2009
WASHINGTON - -- In a political victory for the Obama administration and a surprising defeat for some lawmakers in both parties, the Senate voted Tuesday to halt further production of the Air Force's F-22 Raptor fighter jets.The 58-40 vote was on an amendment to the $680 billion defense authorization bill to strip the $1.75 billion set aside for the construction of seven more of the fighter jets.If the Senate's move is sustained in the House-Senate conference version of the bill, F-22 production would cease at 187 planes.President Barack Obama lobbied intensely against funding the F-22s, threatening what would have been his first presidential veto. Proponents of the F-22 argue that the twin-engine, missile-eluding Raptor fighter jet is important for homeland defense. The aircraft was originally designed to counter a potential Soviet threat, and some now suggest China and Russia are developing aircraft that could compete with the F-22. The fighter jets are manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp. at a plant in Marietta , Ga. According to the company, 25,000 people are directly employed in building the F-22, and an additional 70,000 have indirect links.

A Joe question?
Someone needs to please enlighten me…… Instead of Americans loosing another 100,000 jobs, why couldn’t “Stimulus” money be focused toward building the aircraft that protects America ?
As the President says about his pet agendas: “it’s cost neutral.”
Joe says: “Building these aircraft keeps Americans productive and working in good jobs, instead of signing up for unemployment. With the savings in unemployment payouts, we gain the world’s # 1 combat aircraft at no charge!”
Still an American,
Joe