Washington's Hypocrisy: Firing Line

WASHINGTON (TheStreet) -- Just when we think the hypocrisy in Washington can't get any worse, we're proven wrong. Again. One of the worst traits a leader can possess is the "do- as-I- say, not-as-I-do" mindset.

Last month, I discussed in an article the battle in Congress over additional funding for the F-22 Raptor. The Raptor is a fifth- generation, state-of -the art fighter/attack aircraft that will give the US air superiority for years to come.

Congress and the administration succeeded in killing the additional funding. It should be noted that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates opposed the additional funding as well, although many current and former high ranking Air Force officials strongly supported the program. Former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Merrill McPeak wrote an editorial in the Wall Street Journal last week criticizing the decision.

Congress recently doubled the amount requested by the Pentagon in the 2010 defense appropriations bill to purchase executive jets that are used for special transport missions. The Pentagon originally requested $220 million to purchase three Boeing(BA Quote) C-40 aircraft, the military version of the 737, and one C-37, the military version of the Gulfstream V. Gulfstream is owned by General Dynamics (GD Quote). The mission of the aircraft, flown by the 89th Airlift Wing, is to "transport our nation's senior civilian and military leaders to locations around the globe...during peace, crisis, and conflict... and providing combat ready forces to theater combatant commanders."

Buried deep in the massive defense bill was a line of funding for eight additional VIP aircraft costing $550 million. This is the same Congress that excoriated the CEOs of General Motors, Ford(F Quote), and Chrysler for flying to Washington on their corporate jets to seek bailout money for their companies.