Rayburn no guarantee of more local military jobs

So, Mayor Lionel Rivera has endorsed Bentley Rayburn for the 5th Congressional District in opposition to our incumbent Republican, Doug Lamborn ("Rivera endorses Rayburn for House," Metro, June 5). He cites Rayburn's status as a retired military officer as his reason. Theoretically, Rayburn will be able to convince the military to move more operations here and thus create more civilian military contractor business and more jobs and commerce in Colorado Springs. I disagree with the mayor.

It is not the constitutional responsibility of a congressman to develop jobs and commerce for a city. That is the duty of the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Corp. I have heard this argument about retired military folks serving in public office as a draw for military business for more than 20 years here in Colorado Springs.

This is more myth than reality. They have no more clout and influence than anyone else, particularly as a freshman congressman. Lamborn already serves on the Armed Forces Committee and there is no guarantee a new freshman would be appointed to that committee, even if he is a retired officer. Lastly, according to reports, the military comprises about a third of our local economy. I don't think it's prudent to try to boost that to 40 percent or 50 percent. What the government gives, the government can take away.

That is a very precarious marriage. I would rather see our chamber and EDC work on developing other types of commerce such as light manufacturing (appliances, furniture, etc.) rather than putting all of our eggs in the military basket. We have a solid conservative congressman in Lamborn.

Let's send him back to Washington.

Kyle C. Akers, Colorado Springs
Posted at Gazette.com