How and why to reduce military spending

[Etta Place]

Military spending is something that many people rarely question, especially during a conflict. And, it's something that would be hard to give up because each Congressional district contains a defense contractor or a military base - it's been designed that way, so that it's almost impossible to get rid of anything because it will cost "jobs."

I think the resources of the U.S. should be involved in other productive pursuits, jobs that will really benefit the country going forward and allow the U.S. to be a technological leader again and to become energy independent - particularly as we continue to lose jobs to other countries.

A group of policy analysts and retired military people created a proposal for going forward. It was created in April of last year. It is called, "A Unified Security Budget for the United States, FY 2008." I want to include some ideas from it.

First a summary.

If Congress funds the president's $623 billion FY2008 military budget request (the signed budget was for $459.6 billion - lawmakers opted not to include funding for Iraq and Afghanistan operations in the appropriations bill despite the White House’s request for an additional $196.4 billion in supplemental combat operations - MY ADDED), we will spend more on our forces next year than at any time since World War II. As they defend this budget before congressional committees, Defense Department officials are also arguing for a substantial increase above this amount in future years, even as they project that spending on the current wars will decline. A consistent theme of these presentations is that military spending currently represents a relatively low percentage of national Gross Domestic Product.

We should spend more, according to this argument, because we can.

This (arguable) idea that we "can" begs the question of whether we "should."

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[ichy_trigger]

I think its important to have a strong national defense. We cant be like Clinton and wack it back to nothing and then expect to be able to respond to a need, should one arise. You know, one of the reasons that our spending is so high is because we, as a nation, put forth ALOT of effort to develop and use weapons that limit collateral damage to an absolute minimum. Im sure that Russia doesnt care if they drop a bomb and it takes out an entire city block in order to target one building, whereas we spend 10x as much on that same bomb so that we can remove that one building or even a specific floor of that building without damaging anymore surrounding structures that absolutely neccessary.

On the same note, I think its very important to pour ALOT more money into our border security and to cut back government waste. My company has done work for the Gov and we have to charge twice as much in order for us to make any money after getting through all the crap that goes along with it.

[Tempest]

I think the resources of the U.S. should be involved in other productive pursuits, jobs that will really benefit the country going forward and allow the U.S. to be a technological leader again and to become energy independent

Where do you think the vast majority of the technological advancement has come from in the last 60 years?? MILITARY SPENDING. To include the Internet protocol you are using to blast the military. Not to mention the well paying jobs that are provided by military contractors, and the resulting jobs that come from those.

Need spurs advancement. Staying ahead of your enemies is a major need.

[ichy_trigger]

Originally Posted by Tempest

Where do you think the vast majority of the technological advancement has come from in the last 60 years?? MILITARY SPENDING. To include the Internet protocol you are using to blast the military. Not to mention the well paying jobs that are provided by military contractors, and the resulting jobs that come from those.

Need spurs advancement. Staying ahead of your enemies is a major need.

Dito, where do you think GPS technology came from? Those were first issued during the first Gulf War.

[Judge]

it's funny... gov't spending on anything but defense creates jobs....

:-/

[Frenchy]

Are we saying that no military spending is wasteful?..Should not all wasteful spending be addressed?

[Tempest]

No and yes.

[Ed Ely]

Yes and no!

Ed

[ichy_trigger]

maybe and why not?

[Judge]

who said that?

Originally Posted by Frenchy

Are we saying that no military spending is wasteful?..Should not all wasteful spending be addressed?