Defense budget over runs and oversight
WinLoseorDraw’s commentary
I say the pentagon budget should remain opaque. I have no problem with giving the defenders of our nation some discretionary leeway. However, I am not in favor of good old boy cronyism and backscratching over cards and cigars in the back room. In the latter scenario I fear some defense procurement officials might confuse their own best interests with the best interests of the nation.
The biggest threat to our national well-being and to our way of life is the budget deficit which has been out of control for the past forty years.
You and I cannot legally print money to ease our debts. If the United States government suddenly lost that power, it would immediately go bankrupt. Admittedly, the United States is not the only government using the printing press to stay in business, but we really should strive to be better than that.
In recent decades Republicans have successfully demonized Democrats as “Tax and Spend Liberals.” The truth is that neither side wants to shut the party down by turning down the money spigot.
We need a five to ten percent across the board cut in all governmental budgets, including the defense budget.
I have heard people say that our military needs to be “strong again.” I haven’t noticed any particular weakness in our military. It seems quite strong to me, and judicious pentagon directed reductions in defense spending would not, in my opinion, impede our defense capabilities.
The military needs to be ready to gear up for any military eventuality, but the military should no longer be warehousing weapons systems on the speculation of potential threats that likely will never materialize.
The budget deficit is not just a governmental failure. The majority of the voting populace has steadfastly blocked any and all attempts at belt tightening. Fritz Mondale, when running for President in 1984 called for an increase in tax revenue in conjunction with spending cuts. When Mondale made his acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention, he said: “By the end of my first term, I will reduce the Reagan budget deficit by two?thirds. Let’s tell the truth. It must be done. It must be done. Mr. Reagan will raise taxes, and so will I. He won’t tell you. I just did.” Mondale lost in a landslide.
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