Dear Friends + Interlocutors,

Here’s further indication that the U.S. is a warfare/welfare state. Boeing has had a storied history of achievement, but now Washington welfare is required to keep it healthy. Boeing is in serious trouble.The justification for building this new aircraft—the manned fighter F-47 (47, get it?)—is China. 

If there were no “China threat” there would be no rationale to spend billions on developing such a plane. Is there a true, bone fide “China threat”? Not really. But such a boogeyman is necessary to justify the program. It is at bottom a boondoggle. Like so much else in Washington. 

For background, see George Kennan, the Warfare State, and Something about China.