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2011-08-09 Economy

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Posted by Bobby 2011-08-09 03:41|| || Front Page|| [11127 views ] Top

#1 Let's be realistic: there are some items in the Defense budget that could be eliminated without harm to the republic's security.

Posted by Steve White 2011-08-09 07:57|| 2011-08-09 07:57|| Front Page Top

#2 I fully agree Steve. However, those are exactly the things that historically are protected by the House, Senate, Executive, Governors, and other special interest groups. With all the waving of hands and high statements like that, no one has done more specification of 'what' they want cut than Obama has proposed as a real budget. It's all smoke and mirrors. What will be cut will be training, maintenance, spare parts, facilities upkeep, ammo replenishment, etc. Been there, seen it, done it.

Again, and again, the military men have seen themselves hurled into war by ambitions, passions, and blunders of civilian governments, almost wholly uninformed as to the limits of their military potentials and almost recklessly indifferent to the military requirements of the wars they let loose. Aware that they may again be thrown by civilians into an unforeseen conflict, perhaps with a foe they have not envisaged, these realistic military men find themselves unable to do anything save demand all the men, guns, and supplies they can possibly wring from the civilians, in the hope that they may be prepared or half prepared for whatever may befall them. In so doing they inevitably find themselves associated with militaristic military men who demand all they can get merely for the sake of having it without reference to ends.

Vagts, Alfred, History of Militarism, rev. 1959, Free Press.

Posted by Procopius2k 2011-08-09 08:32|| 2011-08-09 08:32|| Front Page Top

#3 What will be cut will be training, maintenance, spare parts, facilities upkeep, ammo replenishment, etc. Been there, seen it, done it.

Those don't buy votes and influence, bring in political donations, or engender long-running, follow-up contracts.

Same reason why there'll be troop RIFs (Reduction in Force). Hopefully there won't be a corresponding increase in the hiring of GS-04s from certain demographics in the D.C. area, like there was under the Clinton administraion.

Posted by Pappy 2011-08-09 11:10|| 2011-08-09 11:10|| Front Page Top

#4 "Let's be realistic: there are some items in the Defense budget that could be eliminated without harm to the republic's security."

Exhibit A:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/08/08/is-this-company-a-328-billion-mistake/

Posted by Shakey Steve 2011-08-09 16:00|| 2011-08-09 16:00|| Front Page Top

Posted by Shakey Steve 2011-08-09 16:01|| 2011-08-09 16:01|| Front Page Top

#6 most intelligent and cogent comment you've made today

Posted by Frank G 2011-08-09 18:09|| 2011-08-09 18:09|| Front Page Top

#7 Yeah, Shakey, but it still falls under pork for some Representative or Senator or Governor, anyone one of which will be ~~bribed~~ bought with some PAC or reelection money. Deal with the reality when the wolves negotiate how they're going to cut up the sheep. The old "I'll protect your program, if you protect mine" or the other "I'll support your funding bill if you support my funding bill" or the "As Chairman of the committee, nothing leaves this room unless my project gets funded" is still in play.

What should determine defense is the definition of the Threat(tm). Once that is specifically defined the rest like force structure and funding follow. The very first place to start in defense cuts is to examine commitments to other parties/nations that can be dropped. That directly impacts force structure. It also means that the politicians are forced to reconcile the ink on the paper with the costs incurred. They can of course lie and do the usual sweep of the hand, but if nothing more it gives ammo to their current and future opponents on the consequences.

Posted by Procopius2k 2011-08-09 18:11|| 2011-08-09 18:11|| Front Page Top

#8 The Military is hosed. Biden appointed Kerry, Murry, and Baucus to the Super Commitie.

Posted by Deacon Blues 2011-08-09 19:52|| 2011-08-09 19:52|| Front Page Top

#9 Sorry, Reid not Biden.

Posted by Deacon Blues 2011-08-09 19:54|| 2011-08-09 19:54|| Front Page Top

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