Re: [DSII] Point defence...

> I suppose now would be a good time to point out that Defense
> Contractors[1] rate just between Used Car Salesmen and Lawyers in
> overall honesty.  Sure, pay me $16 Billion, and I'll promise the Sun,
> Moon, and Stars too.	By the time you find out it doesn't work, I'll
> have cashed the check.
>  >>
>I disagree with your statement about most Defense contractors. Your
reputation
>at home and abroad is only as good as the last sale you made. Most
people
in
>the industry go overboard to the point of cutting into margin (profit)
to
make

Welll, yes and no.  I sell to the government myself, so I know somewhat
of
which I speak.
a) Our margins sure aren't low, unless we know we have to cut them to
get
the job.  Usually we don't have to, and 40% is common.
b) On the other hand, we are always willing to give advice on how they
can
make it cheaper and better--if they'll listen to us and not what an
engineer
spec'd in sometime in 1954.  We are scrupulously honest about
performance
characteristics, and we generally ship early or on time.

Now, does my experience go for everyone?  No, obviously not.  I do think
that the average company selling to the government tends to regard it as
an
opportunity to do a decent job, and get well paid for doing it.

(In case anyone is interested, I sell industrial plastics.  John, when
they
finally get that Hummer-mounted mine detector, they'll buy the
fiberglass
from me).