Robert Reich: Memorial Day Thoughts on National Defense

[marmar]

Memorial Day Thoughts on National Defense
Saturday, May 26, 2012


We can best honor those who have given their lives for this nation in combat by making sure our military might is proportional to what America needs.

The United States spends more on our military than do China, Russia, Britain, France, Japan, and Germany put together.

With the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, the cost of fighting wars is projected to drop – but the “base” defense budget (the annual cost of paying troops and buying planes, ships, and tanks – not including the costs of actually fighting wars) is scheduled to rise. The base budget is already about 25 percent higher than it was a decade ago, adjusted for inflation.

One big reason: It’s almost impossible to terminate large defense contracts. Defense contractors have cultivated sponsors on Capitol Hill and located their plants and facilities in politically important congressional districts. Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and others have made spending on national defense into America’s biggest jobs program. .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://robertreich.org/post/23815137151?d9976110

[rfranklin]

1. It was Orwellian newspeak when they changed the War Department to the "Defense" Department...

There hasn't been a legitimate "defense" since WWII.

[SharonAnn]

2. That's why we need to call it "Military Spending" and not "Defense Spending"

[xchrom]

3. Du rec. Nt