Sunday, March 16, 2008LYNNWOOD, Wash. -- Economists are not the usual center of attention at social gatherings because, well, we can be pretty boring when policy is the subject. However, when the conversation turns to jobs, business growth and taxes, we can find ourselves the center of attention.
The current uproar over the Air Force tanker contract involves much more than just Northrop Grumman vs. Boeing. Let's cover the peripherals just so they're out of the way.
Boeing lost the contract due primarily to its own arrogance and its history of highly questionable ethics on this very subject.
I happen to live about 12 miles from Boeing's 767 assembly plant and have had dealings with the company. Arrogance and an expectation for preferential treatment are the norm for the company and are reflected in the attitudes of executives all the way down to the line workers.
Indeed, during the tanker contract negotiations, Boeing was described as aloof and rude, and reportedly didn't even respond to some Air Force inquiries, while Northrop Grumman was described as "bringing their A game" to the table.
When Boeing officials tout their experience, they probably don't want people to recall that in 2004 irregularities, corruption and fraud during the initial contract bid for new tankers resulted in two senior executives serving jail time and Boeing's chief executive resigning.
Click here to read the full article from the Mobile Press-Register.
