EDITORIAL DEFENSE PAY-TO-PLAY CAMPAIGN CASH AND MILITARY CONTRACTS RAISE SERIOUS CONCERNS.FOR a company trying to secure a federal defense contract, it's not necessary to pony up big contributions to powerful politicians - but it sure helps. The results of a Daily News review of the records speak for themselves: Of 32 Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, companies to receive defense contracts over the last three years, 30 pumped cash into the campaigns of local or national politicians, either through direct contributions from their top executives, political action committees or Washington lobbyists. That leaves just two companies that reaped rewards without first sending a tribute to Washington - two apparent exceptions to an unseemly rule. Now, no one alleges that any laws have been broken, or that there's a quid pro quo [Latin, What for what or Something for something.] The mutual consideration that passes between two parties to a contractual agreement, thereby rendering the agreement valid and binding. in which companies get contracts in exchange for contributions. But what few deny is that there is an unofficial system of pay-to-play at work here: Give money, and more powerful people will give you a hearing. You still might not get the contract, but at least you've got a shot. It may all be legal, mainly because the laws are written by the beneficiaries, but it's disgusting nonetheless. From an ethical standpoint, it's unacceptable to have a government that's essentially for sale. But compounding the outrage are the national-security implications. With the country waging its War on Terror This article is about U.S. actions, and those of other states, after September 11, 2001. For other conflicts, see Terrorism. The War on Terror (also known as the War on Terrorism , and with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan whose very lives depend on the equipment they use, it's abhorrent ab·hor·rent adj. 1. Disgusting, loathsome, or repellent. 2. Feeling repugnance or loathing. 3. Archaic Being strongly opposed. that our leaders' decisions may be influenced by special interests. Politicians swear they're not being bought, but they're hardly beyond doubt. We already know that ousted Rep. Randy ``Duke'' Cunningham, R-San Diego, accepted bribes from a defense contractor Noun 1. defense contractor - a contractor concerned with the development and manufacture of systems of defense armed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine - the military forces of a nation; "their military is the largest in the region"; . And the burgeoning Jack Abramoff Jack Abramoff (born February 28, 1959) is a former American political lobbyist, a Republican political activist and businessman who was a central figure in a series of high-profile political scandals. scandal threatens to implicate im·pli·cate tr.v. im·pli·cat·ed, im·pli·cat·ing, im·pli·cates 1. To involve or connect intimately or incriminatingly: evidence that implicates others in the plot. 2. any number of leaders in crooked deals with Indian gaming interests. Americans have good reason to be suspicious. The flow of thousand-dollar donations to political leaders and million-dollar contracts back to defense interests ought to have alarm bells ringing. When it comes to military contracts, good government is not only a matter of ethics, but life and death. |
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