Last year, lawmakers excoriated the CEOs of the Big Three automakers for traveling to Washington, D.C., by private jet to attend a hearing about a possible bailout of their companies.
But apparently Congress is not philosophically averse to private air travel: At the end of July, the House approved nearly $200 million for the Air Force to buy three elite Gulfstream jets for ferrying top government officials and Members of Congress.
Because the Appropriations Committee viewed the additional aircraft as an expansion of an existing Defense Department program, it did not treat the money for two more planes as an earmark, and the legislation does not disclose which Member had requested the additional money.
The Gulfstream G550 is a luxury business jet, which the company advertises as featuring long-range flight capacity that "easily links Washington, D.C., with Dubai, London with Singapore and Tokyo with Paris." The company's promotional materials say, "The cabin aboard the G550 combines productivity with exceptional comfort. It features up to four distinct living areas, three temperature zones, a choice of 12 floor plan configurations with seating for up to 18 passengers."
But we can't afford to pay for F-22s that defend our countries...
Let me get this right, our beloved government chastized the big 3 for arriving Washington in thier private jets but yet the 'BIG SKY PILOTS' of our Air Force wants the tax payers to fork over $200 million dollars for 3 new Gulfstrems? the Gulfsteam 550 was introduced in 2003 a meare 6 years ago the Air Force currently (or did) flies the Gulfstream V which went into production in 1995 and mere 14 years ago and a large majority of those have gone to the private sector (and are performing quite well) my point is why does the Air Force AKA US Government need to buy new private style jets? Are you saying Gulfsteam isn't capable enough to retrofit the current Gulfstream V fleet for the Air Force with upgraded avionics, propulsion etc?
ReplyDeleteIf memory serves me right the prior presidental helicoptors were kept in top notch condition and retrofited when necessary and this went on for over 40 years without incident (yes I know the Sikorsky helicopter has been replaced) It seems to me them 2 good ole boys from Georgia 'Sho know how to make the south smile again!
Now if our beloved Air force elite REALLY want them Gulfsteam 550 then my suggestion to our outstanding government to disallow the $200+ million bonuses for the Fannie Mac employees and exec's and the US discontinue feeding, educating, offering medical assistance etc. to illegal immigrants being detained here Texas and elsewhere! For Christ sakes their illigal send them home and where does the ACLU get off defending these people THEY ARE ILLIGAL IT IS NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY!!! Hey I have a great idea if the Air Force does acquire the 3 Gulfsteams then they can fly the illegal immigrants back to where ever they came from!!
I know what the Statue of Libery stands for but our government has got to get it's priorities straingt such as 'WE THE PEOPLE'! As much as it goes against our standards our government has to wake up and realize we are not worlds food basket, world police, medical releif etc. IT'S TIME TO STOP OR SIMPLY SAY NO MORE! TO SIMPLY PUT IT YOU TAKE CARE OF YOURS AND WE WILL TAKE CARE OF OURS!