There is no question that the federal government needs to quit spending so much. Indeed this was the major of theme of the 2010 elections in which congressmen were sent to Washington to specifically to rein in spending. Of course, doing so is much easier promised than done, especially when it comes down to deciding which programs get cut.

Last week, President Obama’s Deficit Commission issued its report setting forth several suggestions (although they failed to achieve enough votes to get the report to Congress), among which are proposed cuts to the F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter program.  Unlike the boondoggle to keep the C-17 alive, however, the F-35 is something that the military really wants, is heavily invested in, and will be worse off without.