Military Spending Sparks Warnings

[kskiska]

Monday, March 8, 2004; Page A01

A sharp jump in military spending under President Bush has lifted defense budgets to levels not seen since the height of the Reagan buildup of the early 1980s, prompting warnings by lawmakers and defense analysts that the surge may no longer be sustainable in a time of deepening deficits.

The military bills, which are approaching $500 billion a year, reflect an exceptional confluence of events, as the Pentagon attempts to cover the costs of stabilizing Iraq and Afghanistan while pursuing an array of new weaponry, exploring revolutionary technologies and caring for an all-volunteer military.

In a sign of mounting pressure to constrain the Pentagon's purse, the Senate Budget Committee voted last week to trim $7 billion from Bush's defense request. Defense hawks vowed to restore the money and to block a similar cost-cutting move expected in the House.

The looming political battle bore a striking parallel with conditions 19 years ago when congressional alarm over a soaring federal deficit led to the end of President Ronald Reagan's defense buildup.

"This feels to me the way it did back in 1985," said John Hamre, a former deputy defense secretary and comptroller under President Bill Clinton and now president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "I believe the tide has begun to turn. These deficit and defense budget numbers are so shockingly big now that, politically, they're untenable."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38812-2004Mar7.html

[bluestateguy]

1. I'm an extremist. Know why?

I favor a cut of 20% to the defense budget. In America, that makes me an extremist, even though we would still have the most powerful, well-funded military in the world.

[reprobate]

5. You aren't an extremist. I am. I favor a 50% cut in defense.

And put the money into a national health plan, and college education for all who have the ability and desire. That will make for a far stronger country than any defense budget.

[fearnobush]

2. But what about missle defense and Mars?

How are they gonna pay for the invasion of Venisuala? Or is that one in the budget all ready.

[PartyPooper]

3. "Tax and spend Democrats"...well, DUH!

I cringe whenever Junior or another Republican accuses our party of doing exactly what THEY'RE doing! Except they're NOT taxing the rich!!! And, they're killing the social fabric of our society.

The Republicans have blown the Clinton surplus. And, the social programs are being dismantled one by one. But, we gotta' have all of these $billions spent on national defense. Ugh!

This is getting more disgusting by the day.

[number6]

4. when the Imperial Bu$h Empire falls, it'll be cause of ...

Bankruptcy ....:(

[murielm99]

6. Our bankruptcy, not theirs.

They will still have all their millions.

[DBoon]

8. Kinda like Rome?

n/t

[UpInArms]

7. just read the PNAC plan

for military spending - it all there in Rebuilding America's Defenses: Strategy, Forces and Resources For a New Century

see page 12 in the gray box - 3.8 percent of our GDP (est $11 Trillion) makes for a $418 Billion defense budget.

http://www.newamericancentury.org/RebuildingAmericasDefenses.pdf