Congress doesn't believe that the Army knows what it's doing

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Tanks, but no thanks!  Not to mention, these aren't even NEW tanks-- they're upgraded older Abrams tanks!
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Congress wants to spend millions on tanks, the Army says 'no thanks'
Published on msnNOW.com, April 28, 2013
Congress gave the Army $436 million over the past two years to retrofit Abrams tanks, but the Army says it doesn't need that done. "If we had our choice, we would use that money in a different way," says U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno. So why the cash splash? One word: Ohio. The nation’s most promiscuous swing state is home to its only military tank plant, located in the city of Lima. And guess what: Both Ohioans in the U.S. Senate are big Abrams tank fans. Small world, right?
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Army says no to more tanks, but Congress insists
By Richard Lardner, April 28, 2013

Built to dominate the enemy in combat, the Army's hulking Abrams tank is proving equally hard to beat in a budget battle.

Lawmakers from both parties have devoted nearly half a billion dollars in taxpayer money over the past two years to build improved versions of the 70-ton Abrams.

But senior Army officials have said repeatedly, "No thanks."

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The tanks that Congress is requiring the Army to buy aren't brand new. Earlier models are being outfitted with a sophisticated suite of electronics that gives the vehicles better microprocessors, color flat panel displays, a more capable communications system, and other improvements. The upgraded tanks cost about $7.5 million each, according to the Army.

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Government Of, By and For the Special Interests: Rolling Right Along
By Rebecca Hamilton, April 29, 2013

Government of, by and for the special interests is rolling right along, despite a national debt that hangs like the Sword of Damocles over all of us. 

A case in point is the on-going debate in Congress about the Abrams Tank.The Army doesn’t want more Abrams tanks. But members of Congress are pushing to force more of them on the Army, anyway.

One factor in this is, of course, the location of Abrams Tank plants. These plants provide jobs for constituents. Voting for the funding because it will keep jobs for your constituents, is, of course, pork barrel voting. But at least the Congressperson who’s doing it has the interests of the people who elected them in mind.

But what about the rest of them? I rather doubt that there are enough Abrams Tank plants in enough Congressional districts to swing a vote in Congress. So, what’s motivating this bi-partisan push to force the Army to buy more tanks, despite the fact that it says it does not need them to keep us safe?

This is just a wild guess, of course, but I’m wondering if campaign donations play a part in this. Or maybe the possibility of a cushy job after leaving office. 

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