The President and the Pricey Helicopter

While President Obama is scolding Congress and another other political entity for overspending and irresponsible spending, The New York Times printed two articles that detailed something most of us really haven't given much thought to. The first article, posted February 15, explained in detail the history of replacing the aging helicopter fleet that scurries the President to the airport and any other place he may need to go.

I didn't know he needed a fleet of helicopters. I thought he only needed one, maybe two. However, the article explained that other staffers ride these choppers and some act as decoys. From a security standpoint, this makes sense. The article also explained that the current fleet was over 30 years old and really should be replaced. Frankly, I would be nervous about getting on anything that is going to lift me off the ground as ancient and in need of replacement.

The second article mentions a fiscal responsibility summit where Senator John McCain remarks on the cost of the new helicopters as costing as much as Airforce One. OUCH! A helicopter is quite a bit smaller than a jumbo jet and it costs as much or more - WOW! The origin of this purchase actually came in response to the security issues raised after September 11 terrorist attacks.

Now, I certainly want our President and his staff and his family safe in anything they are flying, but a $400 million flying machine is asking a bit much. Apparently, President Obama feels the same way. Does the President really need 28 helicopters? I wouldn't mind the White House having two, maybe three, to get by for awhile - but 28 sounds pretty extreme. Each of these new helicopters is supposed to hold about 14 people, so do you really need 28 choppers? In the event of another attack on our country, are we going to ferry all of Congress on these things? We didn't do that the last time.

I really hope that President Obama gets some really good, sound advice on this one. And I hope Congress doesn't go berserk and insist on all 28 choppers. A knee-jerk reaction to the terrorist attacks is not a good reaction and one that's never based on reason. We need to think clearly during our economic crisis and make decisions that will preserve our country on all levels.