But is it easier to outspend the private contractors(staffed full of former generals) that end up rewarded contracts based on their ability to network with government officials?
The pentagon budget is a chronic scandal and a pretty good example of exactly how the private-public partnerships is creating a system where everyone benefits from the government being seen as inefficient.
>But is it easier to outspend the private contractors(staffed full of former generals) that end up rewarded contracts based on their ability to network with government officials?
Sure. You know, you can also prevent that from happening, right? Any former high ranking military official gets a pretty nice pension and benefits. those alone are more than enough to last a lifetime.
You want to go work at a defense contractor after retiring from the military? Fine, give up your benefits, give up your pension, give up your VA healthcare rights, give up your security clearance.
Using taxpayer money to fund the retirement of a former general who then takes their knowledge and relationships (again, both paid for by taxes) to the private sector to enrich themselves seems highly unethical and a massive conflict of interest. You're essentially bankrolling the development of someone who is going to eventually sell that knowledge to people who profit off of ripping off the very institutions you (as a solider) swore to protect and defend.
The pentagon budget is a chronic scandal and a pretty good example of exactly how the private-public partnerships is creating a system where everyone benefits from the government being seen as inefficient.