Kerry would reduce missile defense spending

[mom cat]

Kerry would reduce missile defense spending
Boeing is one of major contractors in program

BLOOMBERG NEWS

The $53 billion U.S. missile defense shield being developed by The Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Corp. may be derailed by a John Kerry presidency.

Kerry, the Democratic nominee, plans to rein in spending on the program, which President Bush has doubled since taking office. Kerry's "New Military to Meet New Threats" platform includes "reducing total expenditures on missile defense" and shifting money from other large weapons programs, according to campaign literature.

Advisers say Kerry will focus on boosting military pay, troop levels and readiness.

"Given our national security priorities, the question is how much money do we need to spend on this system that has yet to complete operational testing," campaign spokesman Mark Kitchens said yesterday in an interview.

The United States will spend $7.7 billion this year to develop the shield, the most for any Pentagon program, which includes a number of separate contracts for different parts of the system, budget documents show. Work on the shield pushed Boeing's military sales to a record $27 billion last year and provided 10 percent of Lockheed's $32 billion in sales. Congress approved $9.2 billion for fiscal 2005, and Defense Department documents show the Missile Defense Agency intends to ask for $10.2 billion in 2007.


http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/186550_missiledefense17.html

[Old and In the Way]

1. That's what I'm talking about!

Get rid of this $52BB boondoggle. Bush's reckless fiscal policy forces us to restructure priorities. Take the %52BB and invest it in this nation's economic future. That is where the real security for this country lies.

[DaveSZ]

2. Good

I say cut some of the bloated pentagon budget (but give the troops more benefits and pay), and use the money saved to invest in the country.

[Massacure]

3. I also hope he re-enters the ballistic missile deal that Bush withdrew

the U.S. from.

[dolstein]

4. We should be spending that money to secure nuke stockpiles

This ought to be a scandal. The amount of money being spent to secure nuclear stockpiles in the former Soviet Union and around the world is a tiny fraction of what we've been spending in Iraq.

[ScrewyRabbit]

5. Right on!

How much deep intelligence could you fund for the amount spent on this ridiculous Star Wars sequel?