Mel Levine’s Stand on Sale of F-15 Fighters

The F-15 fighter is built in the United States, much of it right here in Southern California. There is a proposed sale to Saudi Arabia of 72 aircraft, which U.S. Rep. Mel Levine (D-Santa Monica) is against. This sale would have a positive impact on our economy, which is especially important now in ending this recession. I have seen it stated that as many as 40,000 U.S. jobs will be preserved, bringing up to $8 billion into the economy. As many as 700 jobs where I work (Hughes Aircraft) will be at stake. During this time of reducing the defense budget, the sale would reduce the rate of displaced aerospace workers, allowing more time for the economy to adjust.

Mel Levine is not only out of touch with his district needs, he is not supporting international security concerns of the U.S. government. The Saudis have been our allies since 1947. They even fought side by side with American forces in Operation Desert Storm. Levine says in one of his ads that he voted for Desert Storm.

Well, it would not have been possible to do such an operation the way we did without Saudi Arabia’s cooperation. Saudi Arabia is an oil-rich nation with limited defenses surrounded by some very hostile neighbors. We all have seen the evil of Saddam Hussein, and he is still in power. He is actively fighting the United Nations in getting rid of his weapons of mass destruction.

Iran is building up its forces every day. These aircraft will be a way for our ally to modernize its air force and build up defenses in case of future aggression. The Saudis have historically been nonaggressive and clearly have a defensive need. This sale would be for a defensive nature and still consistent with the need to eliminate the weapons of mass destruction in this region.

Mel Levine should know that, if we don’t sell them the F-15s, the Saudis will just turn to Europe, as they did in 1986, and buy the (British) Tornado again. And if they go to Europe, so will the jobs, and we will lose influence in a very important part of the world.

Mel Levine should also know that this sale does in no way signal an end to our support for Israel’s right to exist and our resolve to defend it against aggression. In addition, the Israeli air force has said that this sale would not jeopardize Israel’s air superiority in the region.

Mel Levine must be concerned about something other than the people he was elected to represent. I have written to him a few times as a member of the 27th District and never gotten a response of any kind. Now that he is running for the U.S. Senate, he has forgotten about us. He has some of the best commercials on TV that I have seen, but do the people know how he stands on issues like this one? I think it’s great that he didn’t write bad checks, but is that any reason to elect him? I am sure there are many bad things he hasn’t done--like join a satanic cult that practices ritual cannibalism--but what good has he done?

LARRY OLIVETO

Redondo Beach