If you are a Politician from Massachusetts....RAYTHEON..."Has Your Back" and Support...

[KoKo]

As a Politician...you will always have to answer to and support your State's Largest Industries....no matter what. And, that might mean coughing down your "Principles & Morals" to achieve what you want to in Legislation for the American People... But, in the end...it's the INDUSTRY in your STATE that will control your vote on "Certain Issues." And, if its a War Industry in your state....it's very difficult if you are a Democrat.

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Raytheon a key in Israeli defense plan
Two deals in works on missile shields
By Bryan Bender
Globe Staff July 17, 2014

WASHINGTON — As Hamas militants continue to fire rockets from the Gaza Strip, Israel’s defense forces are looking to Massachusetts-based Raytheon Co. to take a leading role in producing more antimissile batteries for the country’s crucial Iron Dome defense system.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense is undertaking a final review of a deal with Raytheon for more antimissile batteries. The company is also working with Israeli defense firms on a separate deal for a next-generation shield designed to strike down long-range missiles that may already be in the hands of Hamas as well as the Hezbollah terrorist group in neighboring Lebanon.

The arrangements underscore the increasing role that Waltham-based company’s technologies are playing the Middle East crisis.

Israel built its existing “Iron Dome” defense system with the help of US funding and expertise. The system has succeeded in shooting down most of the rockets that have threatened populated areas, but concern about the continuing threat has led Israel to enlist Raytheon’s help to expand its missile defenses.

President Obama, in an appearance Wednesday at the White House, highlighted the US contribution to the Iron Dome system, saying, “Israel has a right to defend itself from rocket attacks that terrorize the Israeli people.”

“There is no country on Earth that can be expected to live under a daily barrage of rockets. And I’m proud that the Iron Dome system that Americans helped Israel develop and fund has saved many Israeli lives,’’ Obama said.

Israel had hoped that its success in shooting down many incoming rockets would convince Hamas to stop its attacks. But Hamas, along with other Palestinian militant groups, rejected a cease-fire proposal earlier this week by Egypt, and Israeli airstrikes on suspected militants and weapons supplies continued Wednesday amid reports that Israel might launch a ground invasion.

However the current standoff unfolds, Israel has placed extraordinary reliance on missile-defense technologies to defend itself and thus is pushing forward with a stronger relationship with Raytheon, which has a long history of designing and building missile defense systems for the Unites States and its allies.

For Raytheon, the Israeli contracts — part of a “coproduction” deal with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems — present a potential financial windfall. Much of the work would be done at Raytheon’s Tucson, Ariz., missile systems plant, as well by subcontractors across the country, officials said.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2014/07/17/under-rocket-fire-israel-looks-raytheon-build-more-anti-missile-systems/KziQB3E7zhRqkd6ZqW0R6N/story.html

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Raytheon Businesses

Raytheon is composed of four major business divisions:

Integrated Defense Systems—based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts; Dan Crowley, President
Intelligence and Information Services—based in Dulles, Virginia; Lynn Dugle, President
Missile Systems—based in Tucson, Arizona; Taylor W. Lawrence, President
Space and Airborne Systems—based in McKinney, Texas; Rick Yuse, President.[20]
Raytheon Business Exports Federation based in San Antonio, Texas

Raytheon’s businesses are supported by several dedicated international operations including: Raytheon Australia; Raytheon Canada Limited; operations in Japan; Raytheon Microelectronics in Spain; Raytheon UK (formerly Raytheon Systems Limited); and ThalesRaytheonSystems, France.
Strategic Business Areas

In recent years, Raytheon has expanded into other fields while redefining some of its core business activities. Raytheon has identified four key 'Strategic Business Areas' where it is focusing its expertise and resources, including:

Homeland Security
Missile Defense
Precision Engagement
Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR)
Process Improvement (Raytheon Lean6)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raytheon
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[betterdemsonly]

1. Interesting

We need to make a bigger deal out of this stuff.

[hack89]

2. And in Rhode Island

The have a big plant in Portsmouth. As a source of high paying jobs they get a lot of love from our entire congressional delegation.

[Lurks Often]

3. CT politicians are very aware and protective

of United Technologies, which includes Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky, among others and Electric Boat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Technologies_Corporation

[KoKo]

4. Thanks for that info..when I lived there they were into Defense also...

and we need to check this out. The CT Politicians are beholden to their Industries (which provide jobs) also.

State by State...we have to look at the "Jobs Providers" and that's how they are compelled to vote in trade offs on legislation.

If we could somehow change this.... But...it's the Jobs that are most important always. And, the money from the Corporations who Hire...that will rule. Yet what can be done about that even if the industry works for War and More War or Pollutes or defiles our Environment and Food Supply? There's gotta be a fairer way. Maybe "People Pressure" to the Corporations rather than to the Congresscritters who seem to be more and more....Bought and Sold...even if they are elected to try to change the system. What can they do if it's JOBS for their Voters?

[Lurks Often]

5. I don't see people pressure working either

many of these companies are unionized, I know the CT based ones are. What's going to happen to Democrats, even in a very blue state, that start voting against what the unions feel is their best interests.

I have no answers, everything is intertwined I doubt it will ever be untangled.

[KoKo]

6. yes...there's that. Some fear that pressuring Corporations lead them to

Offshoring and Union job loses. Yet that's happened already and those hanging on are in danger of those companies leaving and there will be NO Union jobs left at all.

But, that's what the corporations hold over our heads. They take free money "incentives" from states desperate to keep jobs and in the end (after a few years) the companies leave anyway having used their tax incentives up and leaving empty buildings as they go to China, India, Mexico...wherever they find better tax deals. The states and workers get a few years worth of work and taxes from the workers...but, then that's gone.

There has to be a better way. Pressuring the Corporations is what's left to do and pressuring congresscritters to make it much harder for these corporations to Off Shore after using up the tax incentives that "our desperate for jobs" states give them.

Why can't our Congresscritters and Senators enforce stricter regulation so that they aren't in a bind and beholden to industries that supply jobs in their state so that they vote for protective legislation but then see Wall Street interests take over the companies and move them to other countries? The CEO's/CFO's and other top level of the Corporation get huge rewards in Salary, Bonuses and Stock Incentives when they Off Shore.

Why can't our politicians understand that they shouldn't be beholden to these Corporations who provide their States Jobs...but, that they should Write Legislation that keeps those companies there and penalize them if they leave if they've taken free money from Incentives by the State or by Legislation that was done for them?