# Are there better ways for the government to create jobs than military contracts?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-better-ways-for-the-government-to-create-jobs-than-military-contracts/775037>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [December 18, 2016, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-better-ways-for-the-government-to-create-jobs-than-military-contracts/775037 "2016-12-18T15:12:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\
**Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-better-ways-for-the-government-to-create-jobs-than-military-contracts/775037/21 "2016-12-19T18:33:50Z")

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> [@Martin\_Hyde](#):
>
> Military contracts can often have a similar effect, because there is a lot of genuine technological progress made through the development of specialty equipment for the military. Things like rocket technology, navigation, communications, have all received technological advances from military spending.

I’ve always been somewhat skeptical of highlighting spinoff technology as a main motivator for a particular program. While it may be the case that a concerted effort to advance missile technology will have the spinoff effect of advancing our ability to place communications satellites in orbit. For the same amount of resources spent I doubt that it would advance it as far as a concerted effort to advance our ability to place communication satellites in orbit.

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**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\
**Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-better-ways-for-the-government-to-create-jobs-than-military-contracts/775037/22 "2016-12-20T13:31:27Z")

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> [@boffking](#):
>
> I just saw a news story about how many jobs the F-35 program has created. The F-35 has been a ridiculous boondoggle since day one. FDR put people to work building things like the Hoover Dam. Why can’t we do that today? We have plenty of infrastructure that needs work. Renewable energy could also create a lot of jobs.

boffking-

I’m giving you a warning, here. You know you’re under orders not to start more than one thread in Great Debates in a week. I am now extending that to cover Elections as well.

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