Rocketdyne moves to the South, and 'pull' is its reason

The libertarian novelist Ayn Rand wrote about the "aristocracy of pull." What she meant was that in a crony capitalist economy, merit often takes a back seat to political power.

Who you know — and who knows you. In other words, pull.

An example of this is the decision announced earlier this year by defense contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne to pick up sticks and move development operations for the heavy lift AR1 rocket motor, and along with it, some 1,100 jobs, from its Rancho Cordova, California location to Mississippi and Alabama.

Coincidentally, several powerful lawmakers who just happen to be members of the Senate Appropriations Committee that will determine whether Rocketdyne is the beneficiary of more — or less — federal money also happen to represent ... the two states where Rocketdyne plans to relocate its operations.

They are Sens. Thad Cochran of Mississippi and Richard Shelby of Alabama. And — in the House — Alabama Reps. Robert Aderholt and Martha Roy.