Potential job losses threaten Gates plan

[bruno]

Well- right or wrong they certainly should have seen that one coming!


Potential job losses threaten Gates plan

By Donna Borak - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Apr 9, 2009 5:21:55 EDT

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ proposed budget, which axes some multibillion-dollar weapons projects, is encountering strong resistance from lawmakers whose districts stand to lose thousands of jobs during a recession.

Members of Congress and military analysts said Tuesday that the potential loss of jobs is by far the biggest hurdle the administration’s plan must overcome as it looks to build support on Capitol Hill, and they expect some concessions.....
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/04/ap_gates_budget_plan_040809/

 

[LineInTheSand]

Ha, all you had to do was take the Metro in DC and check out all the F-22 billboards....they were all geared to "jobs".

 

[wilbur5672]

You act surprised. For students of history, this entire episode is almost a carbon copy of what SecDef Cheney did during the beginning of the Bush1 administration. If I remember correctly the F-22 of that era had an almost identical designation, the V-22, and it is flying now. It would almost make one wonder if Gates might have ulterior motives, putting programs on the table for discussion, going on record, and then knowing Congress will never allow their demise.

"Ha, all you had to do was take the Metro in DC and check out all the F-22 billboards....they were all geared to "jobs". "

The DoD budget should be solely for defense, not for social issues.

 

[Pima]

Gee WHiz I am shocked! Not!

This also reminds me of the 90's when we went through the very first BRAC and the economy was in a very similiar situation. It took forever to get it through and the amount of bases that were to be cut and actually got cut were not the same.

MOC's that had no bone in the fight obviously wanted all of them cut, but places like NJ, TX, NY and FL were screaming from the top of their lungs. It will play out the same here, the MOC that has the 35 in their district will be quite happy that this was Gates directive, the guy that has the 22 won't be! This of course where politicking and vote backing will come into play!

LITS you forgot to say and open the WaPo daily and there will be a full page color ad somewhere in it! Just for people who don't realize it, Lockheed basically owns Tysons Corner(McLean), so many Virginians live off of that unemployment fear!

 

[Just_A_Mom]

No big surprise. The Dems are anti-military except when it comes to providing jobs.

It will be interesting to see who wins - Gates vs Conress.
Any bettors out there?

 

[Pima]

Gates will win on the 22!

Lockheed lost the 22, but was given a nice parting gift with the 35! The only MOC' s that will be wheeling and dealing are those that have constituents that are 22 specific. Lockheed knows how the system works, they knew this could happen. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they knew prior and worked out the deal for the 35 to soften the blow!

The area that Gates will lose is the transfer of jobs from contractor to fed., b/c Raytheon, SAIC, L-3Com, Lockheed, Pratt, Booze Allen, etc will all be paying lobbyist to stop that direction. If Booze Allen looses a majority of their contracts they will go under, they are reknown in the Pentagon arena as one of the largest military contractors/employers. No VA/MD MOC wants them to go under. The same for SAIC and L-3Com. The majority of employees will really not be affected b/c they will go from contractor to fed overnight, however, these companies also have large support offices and if they lost their contracts than the unemployment rate would rise along with the federal budget.

This decision was the stupidest one for Gates. Americans are beccoming disgusted with the size of the govt, when they learn that the DOD will be paying more for an employee in the end than a contractor it will become a deal killer.

Before you ask how is that possible here is a quick ex.

Booze is hired to fill a GS-9 position (salary up to 58K), the DOD pays 75K a yr to Booze. Booze covers medical and retirement(401 K). Now take the contractor out and only pay the 58, but after that employee works 20 they will pay a retirement pay of at least 12K a yr plus the medical and the TSP until they die, which maybe 40 yrs, add in the next replacement, and another before the first dies. Every yr the DOD is going deeper in the red very quickly compared to out-sourcing. That is why they went contractor in the first place, it was cost efficient.

The avg American thinks this looks good on paper and makes sense, however, they are not realizing that the contractors have the security clearance and expertise, so all Gates is doing is playing the pea in the shell game. 90% of these contractors will be offered the job due to experience and security clearance (another cost to the govt at 10K a pop), and instead of Bullet getting 23 days of leave he'll get 30, instead of a 401K he will get a pension, all on the taxpayers dime

 

[Pima]

Tpg,

And that is why it will cost a heck of a lot more than the avg American realizes.

MSM: Gates will cut contractor jobs and replace with govt emloyees.

AVG JOE HEARS/THINKS: Good idea no more $400 hammers and he is creating new jobs

REALITY: Those jobs will be offered to the current contractor that has the security clearance and has been working the issues. Now the govt and taxpayers will pay more, since their benefits including medical will be lifelong and life insurance comes out of the govt's pocket. Contractors get paid a set $ and med, life and retirement come out of that amount.

I also believe many military members still have a bad taste in their mouth after Clinton. It wasn't only his actions that he took regarding the the military, but also in his personal life. Bill Clinton will always tick me off, for his perjury and affair. I couldn't give a rat's a** that he cheated on Hillary, but as the Commander in Chief, I belief he should abide by the same rules. Under his administration the military prosecuted people for adultery. Under his administration they also prosecuted people for perjury. Yet, the military was to follow his orders as President. The 90th was on 60 minutes at the exact same time b/c the commander was accused of having an affair with a Lt. He was found guilty of fraternization and adultery, reduced ranks and dishonorably discharged aft @20 yrs. Thus, many military members do shy away from dems because the only ones they know from experience have failed to live in their std. (I won't even start on Carter because his actions as a leader in every manner was just too embarrassing)