Blue Skying

So is anyone really surprised anymore when someone with power abuses their position? This Air Force contract scandal over hiring a firm to help promote the Thunderbirds really doesn't seem newsworthy in today's world, but it's Monday and there's not a lot else happening right now, so....


The trick is to find someone who won't use their authority and position to help a friend or a person who can do a favor for them in return. Keep in mind this was a $50 million dollar contract at stake, so the temptation was pretty strong, but still. This wasn't the USAF's money. This was ours, and nobody asked us who should get the contract, or even if giant video screens were a good idea. Of course, in almost all cases like this, the abuser is not dealing with his own money, so it never feels wrong. After all, what's the harm in spending other people's cash, especially if you'll be helping a friend. But this is our own military. I think a part of most of us wants to believe the shakers and movers in charge of the country are above this sort of thing. With the USAF, being above it would seem only natural.

The news folks never seem to mention it's our money when too much gets spent or misdirected. They call it "government funds",or some such. Guess what? The government doesn't have any funds of its own. If they did, we wouldn't have to pay taxes. I think it'd be a great idea if a way were found to make political campaigning a lot less expensive. For instance, what if the candidates debated via email, and stayed home instead of running to all the primary states, or if tv and radio spots were free? That would really cut costs, and then when the winners take office they'd be able to use their personal funds to run things. Bet we'd see a lot less waste. They might even start clipping coupons at 1600 Penn Ave. And I wouldn't care about "contract scandals" 'cause it's not my money. By the way, those jets in the picture? Ours. Wanna ride?

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