When you get into one of those arguments about whether Obama is just another typical Democrat big spender, you might want to remember what it cost us to mount an illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq. Don't stop there. Remind the GOP about all the extra money that has gone to private contractors over the years -- you and me making expensive gifts to the military-industrial complex. Be nice to have it in back in your pocket right now, wouldn't it! The OMB has begun to tighten the rules on outsourcing.
Obama said he already had spoken with Defense Secretary Robert Gates about the fleet of 28 Marine One helicopters that is now over budget at $11.2 billion, a price that has almost doubled since the Navy started the project.
''It is an example of the procurement process gone amok, and we're going to have to fix it,'' Obama said last week.
Obama will say that his administration will stop outsourcing to private contractors many services that should be performed by government employees. He also pledged to open contracts to small businesses and eliminate ''unnecessary'' no-bid contracts that allow preferred contractors to take assignments even though they might not be the least expensive option. ... A review of 95 defense projects by the Government Accountability Office the auditing arm of Congress, found that the projects went over budget by $295 billion over the course of several years.
