by Jim Hightower

Sensible Priorities

Hey, how about indulging yourself with a hot new Maserati?  Yeah, it's got a sticker price that'll make you go blind – but, wow, this baby will flat-out fly!

Even if you only drive your Maserati down to the hardware store, it'll give you an awesome thrill and make you feel like a real stud, so come on – splurge. And don't tell me you can't afford it.  Just cut back on your kids' education, cancel your family's health care, and dip into your retirement fund.  It's all about priorities, my friend.

If you think such extravagance is insane, you're obviously not a studly congress critter.  These free spenders have just voted to buy more F-22 Raptor fighter jets, a stealth plane that flies so high, so fast that it's called "the Maserati of the skies."  Price tag: a third-of-a-billion dollars per plane.

The F-22 is grossly over budget and plagued with so many technical flaws that the 74 already produced cannot be used in combat.  This year, for example, it was discovered that a pilot could not get the cockpit open and had to be rescued with chainsaws.

Also, the F-22 was designed two decades ago to fight the Soviet air force – which no longer exists.  In fact, the U.S. already has such unquestioned air superiority that there is zero need for this new Maserati, and even the Bush White House opposes lavishing more money on it!

Yet, spurred by a pack of Lockheed Martin lobbyists, congress has thrown another $38 billion of our money at this thrill machine.  To add fiscal insanity to total irresponsibility, our lawmakers also eliminated the annual congressional review of whether the F-22 boondoggle should continue, so now it has a life of its own.

This is Jim Hightower saying... This is $38 billion that's being taken from our country's education, health care, and pension needs.  It's all about priorities.  To help set them straight, contact Sensible Priorities: 212-243-3416.