We are not at war, we don't need to maintain a war footing, while we waste money on another missile, China and Russia gain ground by moving us closer to bankruptcy. No longer should the military be the catch all for the poor folks of this country - it is time to cut back on the spending significantly - and move more of that money towards domestic civil programs. Instead of joining the army, let someone do civil service to get a similar GI Bill, call it CIV Bill - our country needs to stop spending so much of it's GNP on War, we need to spend more on things like alternative fuels, and things that are future related. DD
I'd rather us cut the military budget, invest in renewable energy, then continue war with middle eastern countries over their oil.
There is exactly 0% chance of this happening. Military has been running one of the greatest either marketing or PsyOps campaigns in history to convince us of their necessity since the end of the Cold War.
We need to increase military spending so we can shut down US Space Command and open the newest branch of the military... Space Force.
We could cut things...say...15% or less!...but it will never happen. Just ask "Congress" or whoever will take your phone calls. They're not going to agree with you.
The crazy thing is the Western Hemisphere is basically energy independent. If we could only stop the deforestation...we might get somewhere.
It's not good enough. China is technically energy independent with the amount of coal they have, but it'll do the themselves, the world, and the West Coast a favor the more they cut back on burning it. They have, but its their main backup if their O&G ventures dry up. Burnable Energy is just a cog in the machine that's becoming incredibly unsustainable.
They lost fricking 17 Trillion Dollars . .. just lost. . . .and did not offer nary an explaination Oops. . .17 Trillion . . . gone .. . . . .. If they are just that irresponsible then their blank check needs to be voided Rocket River
It is just shocking that we have 19 aircraft carriers and the most anyone else has is 4....hell Russia has 1.....we are wasting so much money - and losing generations of people. We need to move away from war, to start focusing on our own good, as well as the planets. We need to stop killing and start helping - more civil service, less death.....and yes, I know so many companies are tied up to the death machine - as are many of our leaders, who are making money every time someone bombs someone else and the price of crude goes up a bit. China is playing us like a fiddle - they get us to waste money, we borrow from them and to run around the world trying to influence folks with force, while they do it with investment. CUT spending by 25% - to start, and we would still have the biggest military in the world.....we spend more than the next 20 countries combined......it is far too much. DD
As for Iran, not a US problem let the Saudi's deal with it.....they were attacked, and they can buy equipment from us. Win win. DD
Every country want to have 19 aircraft carriers if they have the resources. I bet every country want to do the killings like Americans are doing if they are equally powerful and controlling the world propaganda. Military dominance is not a bad thing at all. Not dominating enough is the problem. Mr. Trump does not even have to have a trade war with China.....because China would be long destroyed by our 'freedom' bombs.
Military dominance is not a real thing - and it is too expensive and non-sustainable. And we DON'T have the resources - thus the debt. It is breaking this country - the forefathers didn't even WANT a standing army, thus the 2nd amendment for a state militia. DD
17 trillion dollars lost if they just throwing away money (more than likely money laundering to cronies) They don't need to have it Rocket River
So let's address the guerilla in the room. What do we feel about preparing for the response that the Democrats are anti-military etc? The only reason why Dem presidents feel hamstrung with military budgets is because everyone knows someone in the military, and many people rely on military funding for essentially keeping food on the table for a service member they know. My brother is a career Marine. Him and my parents believe that voting for a Republican means he'll have a better career in the military with more money & career advancement. This is a reality for many Americans who think this way. What do we do to change the narrative in this country to NOT view the military as this massive socialist system of government relied upon employment. (FYI - when the "socialism" argument comes out as an attack on Democrats, the Democrat in question should immediately call out the military for what it is.... a massive socialist employment agency)
The Number one thing the Dems should do is Move the VA back into the Military Budget All Veteran benefits should come out of the Military budget Rocket River
My contrarian guess is ( but way beyond my analytical skills) the US defense budget is what insures the US dollar's place as the fiat currency of the planet. It is what allows us to print any amount of money we want and ship it out worldwide without seeing any real inflation. We don't know what the unintended circumstances would be if we stopped, especially considering the ever increasing economic power of China. Also way beyond me..... the money spent on the Military is largely spent domestically so that it's not just gone but circulating in the economy through wages and appreciations that are taxed. Military spending is also the primary incentive for invention and innovation, maintaining the US's other world leading advantage.
