Boeing's KC-X Tanker: Not That Big a Deal

• Report this Comment On August 20, 2010, at 10:51 PM, FBEditorial wrote:

  Perhaps when yous start dissecting the PR garbage pushed by EADS on KC-X and other issues, many here will start to take you seriously as well.

• Report this Comment On August 22, 2010, at 4:56 PM, jasonhad wrote:

  Would someone explain just how Boeing is "wasting taxpayer dollars building 'economic impact' mountains out of PR molehills? They are spending shareholders' dollars trying to protect their business from an illegally-subsidized competitor, and as a taxpayer I laud their pulling out all the plugs to get the contract. I want taxpayer money to go to American workers and businesses, not French and German workers.

• Report this Comment On August 23, 2010, at 1:19 PM, FlyingKnignt wrote:

  Welcome to the Motley Fool, the Fox News of the financial world. First, the Boeing PR notice is one of only several detailing the economic benefits to states that will be contributing to the Boeing Tanker. Nearly every state will have something to contribute thus get an economic benefit. Some states like Texas, California, Washington State, and Kansas will receive much more than N.Y. I am sure if you polled the average NY taxpayer or voter if they would like to receive this benefit, even though only 2% of the state businesses would receive direct benefit., they would say yes. Most voters and taxpayers are smart enough to realize that there are indirect benefits derived from the direct benefits and they would rather have our military flying American made tankers than French made. They know it is more secure to have a American company make such a strategic and important piece of our defense than to have French government supported company. As many a voter know the French government has been at odds with our policies several times. It is not hard to believe the French could halt maintenance and support for a French made Tanker during a crisis where they disagree with our government like say the Iraq war. France was vocal and active critique.

• Report this Comment On August 23, 2010, at 1:37 PM, gallenjag wrote:

  Why is it in the article, MrSmith is so quick to bash American companies like Boeing. It continues to amaze me how one of the last American manufacturing companies providing many thousands of American high paying jobs and providing very high technology can be so bashed.

• Report this Comment On August 23, 2010, at 2:04 PM, DNMay wrote:

  Mr. Smith aims to be controversial, i.e., to print a "different" viewpoint to grab publicity for himself. Unfortunately he shoots from the hip through a bad gunsight with faulty eyesight. The pity is that Motley Fool chooses to accept such stuff, and can get it before the public.

  But we can look on the bright side. If ignorant investors respect his advice, smart investors will benefit.

• Report this Comment On August 23, 2010, at 3:37 PM, 2007GTCS wrote:

  It seems as though most people reading this article who have taken the time to comment are for American companies and against the ignorance Mr. Smith seems to be pushing.

  In the KC-X competition, I would bet that the majority of Americans want an American company to build this tanker.

  But if we didn't just look at this from a patriotic view, what I wish would be taken into consideration of this competition is the entire economic impact this contract has on the American tapayer.

  With the American-built aircraft, the taxpayer would save billions in fuel costs.

  With the American-built aircraft, the taxpayer would save billions in changes to runways and infrastructure.

  With the American-built aircraft, we receive the additional benefit of more tax dollars received, and less money wasted on unemployment for the people who who design and build these planes.

  With the American-built aircraft we retain the technology to build aircraft like this in the future.

  With the American-built aircraft, we have an weapon that the selling country will not block sales of parts to us if we differ in political beliefs. (Remember, the current aircraft we are replacing has been in service for OVER 50 years - France is almost communist now, where will they be in 20 years?)

  I could go on, but I think you get my point...

Add your comment.