rice bowl

rice bowl
 n.— «Attempting to take the moral high ground in a debate that in the past has been characterized by high emotions as each service sought to protect its own “rice bowls,” the Army leadership avoided suggesting to the commission ways that the functions the military services perform could be restructured.» —“Army Seeks Moral High Ground In Briefing To Roles Panel” Defense Daily Sept. 15, 1994. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)