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June 19, 2006
Earmarking the $hit out of it!
More on how the Democrats would like to spend our money...
Over the past decade Vibration & Sound Solutions Ltd., a small Alexandria defense contractor, has received a steady flow of federal contracts to work on "Project M" -- $37 million in all from annual "earmarks" by congressional supporters such as Rep. James (Earmark the $hit Out of It) Moran Jr. (D-Va.).
Project M, a technology involving magnetic levitation, was conceived as a way to keep submarine machinery quieter, was later marketed as a way to keep Navy SEALs safer in their boats and, in the end, was examined as a possible way to protect Marines from roadside bombs.
All the applications have one thing in common: The Pentagon hasn't wanted them.
The company is holding out hope, but with little other business and the congressional funding apparently at an end, VSSL is planning to close its Alexandria headquarters and lab.
The government got its money's worth in Project M, VSSL President Robert J. Conkling said in a recent interview. The technology might still be used to help the nation's military, he said.
"I don't know how you can calculate return on investment" on a system that prevents special operations forces from being injured, he said.
Analysts and others who follow congressional earmarking closely say the company's experience exemplifies one of the pitfalls of the process: Once begun, promising but speculative programs like Project M are hard to kill, sustained by members of Congress who want to keep jobs in their districts, military officials who want to keep their options open and businesspeople who want to keep their companies afloat.
Again, does this mean we should not be upset at Republicans who are in control of both chambers about the runaway spending? We should absolutely be upset. But what this demonstrates is the LACK OF CREDIBILITY Democrats have in criticizing spending levels.
Posted by Aaron at June 19, 2006 08:12 AM
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Comments
It's convienent you forget who is funding this.
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), now chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, kept money flowing to the company until this year.
Posted by: magellan at June 19, 2006 10:17 AM