The Arms Sale Economy Ominous Signs of Improvement

The trumpet’s loud clangor

Excites us to arms.

John Dryden, "A Song for St. Cecilia’s Day"

It is time for an update on arms sales and the economy and happily, the news in 2010 could not be better. Not about the economy but about arms sales of which the economy is an incidental beneficiary. It has been distressing for observers of such things to see how badly both the economy and arms sales have gone in the last couple of years.

According to a report by the Congressional Research Service, 2009 was not a good year for the United States and other countries that pride themselves on being arms suppliers. Although a decline in arms sales might be considered a harbinger of peace and thus be welcome by the few who count that as a laudable goal, it is in fact nothing more than an indication of a lousy economy since developing nations like buying arms and when they’re not buying, it’s not because they have become pacific but because of the economy.

US Confirms $60B Saudi Weapons Deal--- give capitalists guns!

YES SELL GUNS AND WAR PLANES TO THE MIDDLE EAST (but only the nice oil rich capitalist ones)....

The Obama administration has confirmed reaching a $60 billion deal to sell advanced military aircraft to Saudi Arabia. It would be the largest-ever single arms deal in US history. Under the agreement, Saudi Arabia could buy or upgrade over 150 F-15 fighters and purchase nearly 200 new helicopters. Andrew Shapiro, assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs, unveiled the deal in Washington.

Andrew Shapiro: "This proposed sale has tremendous significance from a strategic regional perspective. It will reinforce our longstanding security partnership with Saudi Arabia, as Ambassador Vershbow will briefly discuss after my comments. It will send a strong message to countries in the region that we are committed to support the security of our key partners and allies in the Arabian Gulf and broader Middle East."

How much did we give to Haiti....wait, wait....what was the total we gave to Pakistani flood victims? ooo. Well i guess homeless people are not a good market for the military industry....shoot maybe they want some corn, rice or soy?

Congress will have thirty days to review the deal before it can be finalized.