Deciding against Boeing.

It’s time for me to weigh in on the Boeing-Airbus tanker debacle.

I think that Boeing should build the next tanker because:

• More jobs stay in the U.S. if Boeing builds the tanker. Yes, Alabama gets some jobs, but at the expense of many more in Washington.
  
• France does not deserve our military business. In fact, countries who do not help us in Iraq will benefit from the deal. Yes, Boeing builds parts of the tanker overseas, but again more of the tanker is built in the U.S.
  
• Airbus enjoys many subsidies that Boeing doesn’t. I think it’s time to level the playing field.
  
• The economy and our military our married. One cannot exist without the other. If the military can’t legally factor in jobs into their contract decisions, the law should be changed.

Since this deal, there have been many leaks about why Boeing did not get the contract. “Boeing blew it,” some would say. Others claim the Air-Force experts should make the decision.

I would say that one of the duties of a legislator is to examine and challenge the opinions of so-called experts. Norm Dicks fulfilled this duty by claiming the Air-Force pulled a bait and switch during contract negotiations.

In short, it’s the duty of the legislative branch to check the power of the executive branch. I hope that is what happens with this deal. I hope Congress uses their power of the purse to persuade (or pressure) the Air-Force to change its mind.