Interesting article from The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...itary-buildup/
Doesn't take that long to read either!
I wish someone would have the political guts to scale back the U.S. Military.We will face austerity measures at some point. We simply can't keep going on like we're going.
The U.S. spends more on Defense than the next 10 developed countries combined.
I find it extremely strange that Republicans have been clamoring for years about reducing the U.S. Debt, but continue to push for increased Defense spending year after year after year.
The only political candidate in recent memory who has suggested the U.S. scale back it military was Ron Paul, and that of course killed his presidential campaign.
Wasn't it Dwight Eisenhower who warned about the U.S. Military-Industrial Complex back in the 1950s? Originally Posted by PizzaLover
My right hand has saved me thousands of dollars over the years. Just like your mouth has made you tens of thousands of dollars over the years... PizzaRaper Originally Posted by IIFFOFRDB
Well, the military industrial complex (of which Ike spoke of) and national defense are two different things.Firstly, it's not wrong, it's simply fact. http://pgpf.org/Chart-Archive/0053_defense-comparison
We have been stretching out military and scaling things back (maybe not in money, cronies need to be paid) but in manpower and equipment for the last five years. Where were you when the hollowing was beginning? China, North Korea, Russia, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Kenya...just a few places where there is trouble brewing. The oft repeated comment about how much we spend compared to ten other countries is wrong and idiotic. Would you criticize a police department for spending more on cars and guns than the fire department? Like it or not, we are the world's go to country for policing, rescuing, and help. Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn
We do have a problem with the military industrial complex in this nation. We also are sitting on the sidelines of what is rapidly becoming world war 3. The spread of the Islmic state is little different from the spead of nazi Germany. The goals of the Islamic state bears a striking resemblance to the purification of the Arian race. No Christians are allowd and you either convert or die. Genocide and the attacking of sovereign nations rings another bell.
Climate change and global warming will be of little concern when the Islamic nazis use nuclear weapons on Israel and the United States.
Armageddon is their desire.
The question should be; do we have enough military to defend ourselves against the attacks that will eventually come.
Another question is, where did all of the money go that we have saved from pulling out of Iraq and greatly reducing our role in Afghanistan? Originally Posted by The2Dogs
Peace always comes at a price Originally Posted by JD BarleycornYour statement is nothing but a platitude -- "peace comes at a price".
Your statement is nothing but a platitude -- "peace comes at a price".They have already cost more than a $1 Trillion. Since the money was borrowed, estimates are that it could cost as much as $6 Trillion by the time it's all said and done.
How much is enough spending on Defense? Republicans NEVER seem to be able to answer that question.
The U.S. made a HUGE mistake by invading Iraq and Afghanistan. These wars will cost AT LEAST $1 Trillion, and that doesn't even cover the increased cost of long-term health care for Veterans.
Given how Republicans always whine about "reducing spending", why isn't Defense included in this? Originally Posted by PizzaLover