Still Clutching The Pork Barrel

(The following letter to US Senator Joseph Lieberman has been received for publication.)

Senator Lieberman:

 I am very unhappy — but not at all surprised — by your vote to spend an unnecessary $1.75 billion on seven F-22 fighter planes that even the Pentagon says are obsolete.

I realize parts of the plane are built in Connecticut and that some workers might lose their jobs over this spending cut, but Senator especially in these dire budgetary times, why must you perpetuate pork-barrel spending?

Even the cost-cutting amendment’s co-sponsor and your political partner, Senator John McCain — surely no wilting supporter of the military — said the vote meant “there’s a chance of us changing the way we do business in Washington.”

Senator, this shows that once again you’re out of touch with the majority of people of Connecticut.

Charlie Browne

9 Hawthorne Hill Road, Newtown                                  July 22, 2009