Author Topic: Another April 15th (Read 117 times)

lbpesq · « **on:** April 15, 2008, 05:47:44 PM »

Well, I just finished writing out checks to the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board. For the same money I could have bought some sweet Alembic customs (plural). I wish the gov't would spend my money on Alembics ... probably a better choice than what they'll likely spend the money on (in the great scheme of things).

Bill, tgo

Now isn't 4/20 a MUCH nicer day that 4/15? hehehehe

bsee · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2008, 06:01:21 PM »

Give me a break, Bill! If the government were buying Alembics, no one else at all would be able to afford one. If they'll pay $12K for a $10 toilet seat, what would they pay for an Alembic? Series II for $13.8M?

On the other hand, when they couldn't figure out what to do with them, or when employees started skimming a few here and there, we would have an awful lot of surplus for very cheap money on the open market.

-bob

Disclaimer: This was just an attempt at a humorous reply. It doesn't necessarily represent my actual views. The Alembic boards are not the place for serious political discourse and no one should be offended or attempt to take any of this seriously. Seriously... I mean this part...

jacko · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2008, 05:15:17 AM »

Bob..
If they'll pay $12K for a $10 toilet seat,

care to elaborate? Sounds like an interesting chapter in your country's history ;-)

graeme

bsee · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2008, 10:34:32 AM »

Graeme, there was a period of time where it was publicized that oversight was lacking in government purchasing. There were certainly some abuses and overpayments to government contractors, but someone in a position of power started a story that NASA paid thousands for an inexpensive toilet seat and it became an instant classic.

Is it true as a single fact? Doubt it, but it was a lot of fun and kept an awful lot of comics in material back in the day. I suspect it also drew attention to what abuses there were and more care was used in scrutiny of future contracts.

keith_h · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2008, 02:19:21 PM »

Actually the Pentagon was paying $640 for toilet seats for one of their aircraft in the mid-1980s. It turned out this same seat was available at your local hardware store for around $10. During this same time it was noted that a plastic cap for a lever on the B-52 was priced at over $1000 when it cost 2 cents to produce. It all came out of a GAO report that showed many such rip offs by defense (or defence for the rest of the worlds English) contractors.

Keith

olieoliver · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2008, 02:23:45 PM »

Isn't that how they fund Area-51 and other like classified operations.

OO

Hasn't anyone else seen Independence Day? LOL

flaxattack · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2008, 06:19:25 AM »

good one ollie!
i used to work in the metals business. my company was a prime supplier to israel on a project known as LAVI. it was a jet with forward swept wings and killer avionics. The U.S. govt was financing a lot of this plane.There was so much graft and corruption built into the jet that the u.s. govt basically paid the Israeli's to stop producing it in exchange for the avionics. killed my commissions on the sales as we were prime supplier for their aluminum.
i am lucky. i get refunds to pay for my alembics

trekster · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2008, 09:29:25 AM »

edited -see next

(Message edited by trekster on April 18, 2008)

trekster · « **Reply #8 on:** April 18, 2008, 09:29:49 AM »

I think it's funny how *fast* the government can cash the check you send in.. I mailed my taxes along with a check on a saturday; the IRS had the check cashed by tuesday afternoon. Sheeesh.