why not cut the military budget?

Question

if we do that then we can cut the national debt in half right

Answer 1

we are at war

Answer 2

HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHA

If you are serious, not that it sounds like it, about cutting the debt and spending aim for the biggest chunk of the budget. Makes sense doesn't it? I would hope so.

And that is the governments allocation for 'social programs'.
Item 1. Social Security 22%.
Item 2. Net Interest 11%.
Item 3. Medicare 11%.
Item 4. Medicaid 6%.
Item 5. Other Mandatory 6%.
Item 6. Other Means-tested entitlements 6% (Footnote: Means-tested entitlements are those for which eligibility is based on income. The Medicaid program is also a means-tested entitlement.)
Item 7. Reserve pending Social Security reform 6%.
Item 8. Non-defense discretionary 17%.
Item 9. National defense 15%.

Items 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 are the 'social programs' gimmes, and handouts totalling 51% of the budget (2000 budget stats).

However if you think that the citizens aren't paying enough, I'm sure that the IRS would appreciate an additional donation. Or you could not take any deductions. Cut military... have you seen living conditions that our service men and women have to contend with? Payroll for most is a joke, many service families have to apply for assistance just to make ends meet. Cut military, I smell a democrat.

Answer 3

While it is true that we spend nearly half of our budget on the military, ti would not cut down the debt. In order to do that, we would have to allocate funds specifically to pay it back, and it would barley be dented by a quarter of one years budget- the national debt is Huge right now (talking trillions)

In terms of feasibility, it's a good idea. The military industrial complex (Eisenhower's farewell address) has really taken over, and has driven the prices up to extreme levels. Ever hear of a spark plug model that on the market is $14 costing the military over $400? The military budget could be slashed by2/3 according to pentagon estimates if they bought at market value. most government agencies get goods for below market value, FYI.

So why not? Politics. It's very easy for an opponent to cast somebody as weak on security if they vote for a budget cut, so nobody wants to do it. Unfortunately, lengthy nuanced explanations like this do not come across well in a debate or a 30 second ad.

Edit: to the person who posed budget percentages: Try looking up more recent figures. Social security only draws single digits now, and military drew 53% in 2003, and only about 45% since. That does not include the emergency congressional allocations, meaning that it's a lot higher.

Answer 4

CUT THE MILITARY BUDGET NOW? During a time of war and terrorist activity is not the answer. It would prove disasterous. We can not afford to police our borders now and the terrorists are still coming. We need our military home to protect the USA from the terrorists.

We need to pay the troops more. These brave men and women fight for us cowards. They put their lives on the line each and every day here and abroad and they get paid peanuts. Have you ever heard what the lower ranks get paid, it is not enough to take care of a family and many live at the poverty level.

President Clinton already closed military bases and did cut backs to get the budget in the black and it worked. The bad part was that now our military is wounded and at war. We do not have the supplies and equipement needed to win a war. We do not have the men and women either.

Who want to join the Military and :

Be told what to do every minute of every day
Cant quite your job or you go to jail
Part of the job description is "Go to War"
Eat Military food and MRE's (junk)
Rise early every day (4am to 5 am)
Run every day for physical activity (no choice)
Be a needle bag constantly getting shots (no choice)
Sleep on cots or on the ground when away from base
Make decisions to kill or be killed
Constant education and training (it never stops)
Do not gain weight or you lose pay or get notice
Cant visit family or friends when you want, (by permission)
Have to wear dogtags incase you die you can be identified
Have to use Military doctors, dentists and hospitals (even though they may not be the best and have newbys)
You can not quit your job when time served since the President demands your Service.

Good Luck. How long would you last in this JOB? Any Military Officer would make three times the money in Corporate Amercia but they stay to serve us.

Answer 5

Our military budget will stay on the rise for many reasons, like the rise of china, the threats from Iran and N. Korea, and the upcoming expansion of our military. If we are going to do something about the budget, we should not cut the military budget. We need to figure out how to get substantially more for each dollar spent. Not only in the military, but throughout our government.

Answer 6

You are probably too young to remember the last military draw down. The last one was actually planned by the former President Bush before we ever went to war in the Gulf. We went to war and those plans were temporarily put on hold. Bush was then voted out of office and President Clinton took over. I attempted to have conversation with Admiral Nader -- one of the "Architects" of that draw down. Clinton loathed the military and had no use for it. He did not know what he was doing and working on the false notion that with the Soviet Union having fallen, we would never be in another two front war. His draw down went far beyond that of the original plan. In my attempted conversation, the Admiral stated that this draw down was in part to stimulate a faltering economy. I then pointed out that if the economy is faltering, then that could be taken to indicate that people are not spending money. They are not spending because they aren't making. They aren't making because they are unemployed. He agreed. So, I continued with the thought that taking people who are currently gainfully employed and making them unemployed and then turning them loose on an economy already saturated with unemployment will help HOW? I was asked to sit down. Another aspect of the draw down was base realignment -- base closure. So, let's look at the facts on this little shell game. NAS Moffett Field was an old drigible base -- extremely large hangars designed to house blimps of various sizes. The Navy and Marine Corps was using the base for helicopters. An office was being leased to the folks at NASA. The base was "realigned" and closed. Infact, the office leased by NASA was leased to the Navy and the base itself was taken over by NASA. Sure, it was a small relief of the military budget, but it's still federal money. So, where's the savings? The Army base at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge -- Presidio. Major league prime real estate. The base was closed and turned over to the NATIONAL Park Service. Still federal money. Where's the savings?
Consider if you will, the military budget is NOT the largest single expenditure in our government. It is surpassed by Health and Human Resources. They are the ones who make out the Welfare checks. Only those who are incapable of helping themselves are SUPPOSED to be collecting. How many are truly "Incapacitated" to the point that they cannot do ANYTHING? Everyone short of a vegetable is capable of "Something." Right? So, let us begin to employ these helpless souls and give them cause to live. I've a tractor in need of repair, a driveway (1/4 mile long) and a yard all in need of assistance. We could employ someone to help out. And unlike Walmart, K-Mart, Home Depot or even the Military, I won't require a urinalysis screening.
I think your question/idea of slashing the military is another half baked idea and needs to be sent back to the drawing board. Clinton's short miopic vision was seriously flawed and we are indeed in a two-front war and haven't the manning to sustain without strain. And by the way, Switzerland was used as a vacation land by the Nazis.

Answer 7

lowering salaries particularly isn't the suitable ideas-set. however the extensive fee of the militia is particularly open to help. the U. S. spends extra suitable than the subsequent 25 international places blended. Many bases are there as in reality close by help projects, some might desire to be closed with out impacting defence (they might have some impact on the close by financial gadget, yet no longer what the militia is meant to certainly do). minimize the F-35 software ... extensive waste of money. surely too costly to fly. The futire is in extreme overall performance drones no longer piloted airplane. There are positively different extreme fee tag / low usefulness courses. With theory a fifteen-20% minimize is obtainable with out important impact on the main important project. yet then the GOP might ought to revise their tendency to wish to invade whoever they desire. can no longer have that can we?

Answer 8

cutting the military budget is never an option when a country is as big as America,you cut the budget,lots of jobs will be lost.

Answer 9

NO. If when get rid of the Free Trade Agreements in order to bring back the 5 million high paying jobs we have lost in the last 6 years and kick all of the fuc*ing illegals out of the country and shoot them if they sneak back in then we will have improved the quality of life here, added to our national tax base and got rid of a major crime epidemic without endangering the US by weakening our defense. Move to France, they don't spend much on defense (of course you may get blown away by some fanatical ****** wearing a "veil".

Answer 10

Nothing in life is that simple.
Do you propose eliminating the overall staffing of servicemembers by half? Can the US absorb several hundred thousand trained workers who are suddenly unemployed? The moment we drawdown the size of the military is the moment that [insert country here] attacks it's peaceful neighbor and asks the UN/NATO~U.S. for military help.

Answer 11

Do you vote? Do not vote for those who approve Bush's appropriation for the war in Iraq. If you are too young to vote, consider trying to change your parents view on who they vote for. It's important. You can also call your representatives on every level or write and let them know what you think. It will make a difference. I think I read somewhere where it is believed that one letter = the thoughts of 1000 people. Write and email and call often.