Tanker Contract

Tanker Contract

Topic Author: Rachel Phillips

Posted: 10:25 PM Mar 1, 2008

Replies Posted: 11 comments

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Tanker Contract

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Tanker Contract

The big story this week was obviously the Tanker contract. On Monday I did a story about the impact it would have on Wichita and the state if Boeing got the deal. I was told it was almost a for sure thing. Now we know that isn't the case and we will lose out on hundreds of direct jobs and potentially several thousand more in trickle down employment. Not to mention the 145 million dollars annually the deal would have dumped into our economy. Since the announcement I have heard a variety of comments from viewers like....It's un-American to have our military planes built in a foreign country....and....our economy is so bad why are sending good jobs and revenue overseas?

What do you think about the tanker deal? Why did Boeing lose? Should the government look at more than just the bottom line when so much is on line for American families? What should our legislators do now?

I can't wait to hear from you!

Posted by: oldgoat Location: Wichita
What Boeing did before is of no importance. They paid their fines and people got fired and sent to jail. As long as Boeing did no wrong this time then so be it. I do believe that there was interference by McCain to change the process to favor Airbus and that is reason enough to have it investigated and any involvement he had also. Afterall he is the one that preaches being the straight guy, and had no problem with investigating Boeing when they did wrong. Seems to me turnablout is fair play.

Posted by: Jeanie Location: Haysville
It used to be a honor to say we live in the USA. Now its just an embarrassment. When we give for foreign countries our jobs and tax dollars during a recession. And to think most politicians don't care. Why should they? It doesn't hurt them. This country is nothing but corporate greed and them lining politicians pockets. Its a shame to say I live here.

Posted by: Gary Location: Seattle, WA
The bottom line is EXACTLY what our government should be required to consider in a contract situation. But that bottom line needs to take into consideration the economic trickle-down. No economist anywhere will be able to logically explain how sending billions of dollars overseas, even if the domestic alternative is more expensive, will be a better deal for US taxpayers. The trickle-down from a contract this huge is enormous, like some multiple of the original price tag. Sending it overseas means no trickle-down at all - save for a few French & British who might take their profits and buy up some foreclosed US properties (you sure as hell know they ain't buying Fords). Government spending is one area where I believe it should be US-bid only unless no domestic source is available at all.

Posted by: Ralph Location: Los Angeles, CA
Opinions are like a certain part of the human anatomy! Everyone has one! So, here's my anatomy's worth. This is a multi-billion dollar contract and it should be scrutinized very carefully. It should have gone before GAO review whether or not Boeing filed a protest. All such massive contracts should go that route. If the EADS proposal is indeed the better one, and no inappropriate behavior influenced the decision, then the GAO review should so adjudicate. If on the other hand, there were inappropriate processes followed, especially the intervention of politicians, lobbyists, etc., attempting to influence the procurement process, then that should be taken into account. The same process that uncovered inappropriate Government officials' behavior on the 2004 Tanker deal between Boeing and the USAF should be applied here to insure no one (politicians, lobbyists, etc.) have had any influence on this procurement, and to insure even handed evaluation was conducted in the award.

Posted by: Jim Location: Wichita
I have to wonder about all of the Boeing people and politicians who believed it was "almost a for sure thing". When businesses bid on a project, and then do not win that project, they rarely get the opportunity to cry foul. Why is nobody at Boeing standing up and saying "we blew this bid process". I agree that Boeing may not like the outcome, but to cry foul at this point is like being back in pre-school. When we don't like what we are given, then cry about it until somebody listens. Unfortunately, the politicians will be the ones listening and will drag this into more investigations, costing us millions for Boeing inability to properly price and win a contract.

Posted by: Ken Location: St Louis
I have to agree with Doug, Our tax dollars are going to France? So we can loose jobs here. I am suprised that the Air Force is not required to supply an economic impact study as part of their justification. There is alot more at stake here than dollars. These are people and families that are being thrown out on the street. And these are american people. And when we need help overseas, wher ethe hell is France, cowering in the corner. It was Powell or Swartzkof wh said it best, going to war without the French is like golfing without your tennis racket. Bring the jobs home screw Airbus and the French. Who Needs them anyway. Boeing builds american planes with american metal and american composites with american labbor. I think it is extremely irresponsible for the Air Force to even consider anyone else.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Ark City
I do not believe Boeing deserves a contract due to the ethics problems and the scandalous conditions concerning Harry Stonecipher and cutting all those jobs just so another entity-ONEX could make a huge profit. Growth for a community does not mean that the rich gets richer and the poor stay poor. If Boeing had any morales they would fix some of the past problems and make them right and stop wasting the government's time and money with appeals and whining about details. Can you say karma?

Posted by: Bryan Location: Salina
Boeing has had its share of problems with ethics and the sale of all its commercial divisions. Where was the government for those people? The real answer is that big government including Kansas government is behind sending jobs away to help the global economy. Global economy is politically correct, but we all have to pay for it sooner or later. We will close the gap between the U.S. and less fortunate countries. This is a sign for more things to come. I believe it is also bad karma-Boeing did nothing to help the people whose jobs were lost to the sale and cared less. What comes around goes around. Maybe they can hire Harry Stonecipher back to negotiate with the government. Scandalous as Boeing is, it is still sad to see job loss-maybe if its labor unions would like to send out cards for all those potential job losses now. I am still waiting for my apology. Unions, government, and big business are all behind sending jobs down to Mexico and over seas-why as why? It's politics

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita
Let's not forget that Boeing is so far behind on orders for commercial airline orders that they are essentially turning away business with delivery at 5-10 years from now. Sure, the tanker contract would bring business to town, but the tankers wouldn't be finished until when? 2025? Seems that the government looked at the bottom line in that they found someone to do the work for the money in a reasonable time frame.

Posted by: Doug Location: Wichita
This is totally in character with our broken government. Let's send taxpayer dollars over seas, so our people lose jobs, and our air force relys on a foreign power for spare parts. Will they still be our allies in 10 or even 20 years? (Remember that the current fleet is around 50 years old) Why don't we just get it over with already and hire the chinese to defend our country for us. They would probably give us a better price than our current military. That is until they declare Washington D.C. part of China. Foreign contractors should never even be allowed to bid on such an important contract. EADS / Airbus hiding behind an american name - still a foreign plane.

Posted by: Robert Location: Belle Plaine
Hello, It should be a wake-up call. We have lost our competitiveness in the world market. We've gotten so greedy and spoiled that we expect everything to go our way. We've become a selfish, self-centered society. But, before we get all upset about a contract going to France, we need to take a closer look at ourselves and what we've done to cause this. Look at our homes, our cars, clothing, household items, furniture, etc. Were they made in the US or a foriegn country? Chances are the majority of those items were made in a foreign made. To many people drive foreign cars. We talk about American made and American pride, but where is it. We talk the talk, but do not necessarily walk the walk. Let's take away the greeds, the selfishness, the spoils and get back to basics. That's the real Change I'm looking for.