To The Editor:
May I ask some rhetorical questions? What business does the president of the United States (or president-elect, who hasn’t even been sworn in yet) have inserting himself personally into any sort of contract negotiations, public or private? And even if Mr. Trump does own his own jetliner, what does he know about the fair market value of an ultra-high-tech version with millions of dollars of sophisticated electronic jamming devices, counter measures and secure communications equipment (aka Air Force One)? And what could he possibly have learned on his own about it all in a very brief space of time that would enable him to develop an informed opinion on whether the proposed cost is “too high”? Isn’t there an existing procurement and bidding procedure for such purchases (presumably with built-in cost reviews)? Have we elected a president or a self-styled “negotiator-in-chief” who will spend his time in office involving himself in the particulars of all the myriad contracts that the U.S. government enters into? And will Congress support such behavior?
Paul Hanke
Warren
