The main problem is that there is no real modern alternative to the LCS (just with the F35). A new development will take years and of course enough dollars.
Put the LCS in full service and learn from it! Then slowly change the design. Do not want to come with something new. This is not the time for it. Accept it and move on!

I once learned that there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.

I hope you realize that the US has grown because it has open borders (for trade!!). What do you think will happen if the US closes it borders for import. Export will drop also, and the profits of the company's will evaporate (and workers will be fired.... etc etc etc).

Best example. And China is cheap, but only because the Yuan is controlled by the goverment. That's why the US goverment tries to persuade the Chinees to let it go free on the market.

hmmm, "time is on our side" ??
Where are the "thousands of F-35s" and I do hope the F-22 will keep their pilots safe with enough oxygen............

O, by the way. Did you miss this point:
"by the time the F-22s ran out of missiles and fuel there were enough unengaged Flankers still in the air over the strait to begin attacking U.S. air refueling tankers and E-8 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft. As a result, F-22s were lost not to enemy fighters but to fuel exhaustion because they were unable to rendezvous with tankers and get the fuel to make it back to Guam."
Your arguments sound a bit hollow.

I'm trying to come with the words to describe my opinion. But I cannot find them, except the ones wich say; "This is totally unacceptable. How is this possible? We are talking about billions and billions of dollars (for years and years!!!) and they cannot account for it in a proper way. Unacceptable!

This has nothing to do with the military equipment, this is all politics. Like Thinking_ExUSAF said, they all have elections in their minds.
All that Carter could do here was to divide and conquer(survive) , give everybody a bit of satisfying answer and life another day.

I'm not a mechanic. But there must be oxygen systems that works. Why is it so hard to revise them for the raptors, unless off course it's all software.............

"...And yes, there will eventually be a war..."
"in order to have a chance against China in 20 years..."
With that kind of attitude there will be a war. I do hope that the leaders of both nations are a bit more versatile in their views.
Maybe a second cold war, yes. But why an all-out war? It depends more on economical development. If the crisis/recession is over and all shares are going up, the debt will be less of a problem, and the focus will be shifted.

Seems to me that the Navy want a 313 strong fleet but is incapable to maintain it. Maybe it should strive less to get the 313 number and make sure that the ships in service are in a ready state.
I'm talking about refunding the Navy, not cutting its budget!! Take a good look at its logistic and maintenance facility.