Cut military spending to save American empire - RT 100707

http://rt.com/Top_News/2010-07-07/cut-us-military-spending.html
US Congressional Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA) and Ron Paul (R-TX) have written an op-ed urging a cut to US military spending in order to save America from bankruptcy.
"We have a humongous budget deficit, on par with Greece. This is $1.5 trillion per year which is 11 percent of our GDP, which is a record. The previous record was 5 percent under Ronald Reagan. They have to do something to close the gap and the military budget has been off limits for many years, even a decade now," said Ivan Eland, a senior fellow at the Independent Institute in Washington.
Eland argued that the massive US military spending began after US President Harry Truman established a permanent defense industry following World War II. This industry has taken shape over the years to include large lobbying efforts aimed at extending a US worldwide empire.
The lobbying efforts include actions by foreign policy individuals, businesses, defense contractors and others pushing for a perceived increase in security.
"I think this empire causes reduced security for those who really matter, and that's US citizens. I mean, we get blow back terrorism from Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda simply because we are occupying Muslim lands and interfering in Arab governments," said Eland.
He argued that the US could be more secure and cost effective if they reduced their overseas empire. There's no reason to continue old Cold War overseas policing policies because we no longer need to. Eland argued the US need to be more cautious to whom it gives security commitments.
The United States was traditionally an anti-militarization state. However, in more recent years the US increased its drive towards military strength.
"This same thing happened to Rome and other empires. What usually happens to empires is they become militarized at the end of their road and they eventually either collapse or have to retrench because they can't afford the empire anymore," said Eland.
Eland argued that Obama will have to reduce the military budget, reduce spending and will likely have to increase taxes.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• US
• military
• spendings
• Ron
• Paul
• Barney
• Frank

[bloodyhawk989]

the coldwar never ended russian economy tanked.

[MascisMan1]

@Wonglow When a person blows themselves up or flies a plane into a building in the name of Allah (because they are delusional and believe they will be rewarded by their God) they are religion-driven.

Even in your scenario where terrorists hate America because of Israeli support it is all religion-based. Terrorists hate our support of Israel because they believe the land is theirs. Why? Because of religious history. All of their actions are rooted in religious beliefs/delusions.

[MascisMan1]

@Wonglow That plan only works if the government decides they want to shore up the border security. They haven't yet, I'm sure they wouldn't then.

If we take all those troops eliminated from the military and give them border jobs you are assuming these vets WANT to move their families AND take on that job. It's like taking a guy that is a waiter at a fine restaurant and telling him he is being repositioned as cashier at McDonalds in another state. How will they get paid with a reduced budget?

[Wonglow]

@MascisMan1 , Heh when the "religion-driven terrorists " as u call them ..state their reasoning behind hating America and Americans ...its typically related to our support of israel ...equipping israel with military equipment and yea interfering in their elections , governing (Cia) and yea maintaining occupations within their borders.

So long as we are there we will create 2 new terrorists for every 1 we kill. Unless u plan on Eradicating ALL arabs in existance...it will never end..or get out

[Wonglow]

@MascisMan1 Who says they would "essentially" lose their jobs ?

U realize we have a rather large border to the south of the country ? that we also lose millions in tax revenue via illegal aliens making it across and working here without having to pay taxes not to mention the health care costs associated with them all getting free healthcare for treatment of their injuries at the hospitals n clinics ...and the millions spent feeding the children they pop out once they get over here .

[MascisMan1]

Of course this is in addition to the side effect of hundreds of thousands of military personnel essentially losing their jobs (and their laid out plans to retire from the military) in a current economy that has unemployment problems as is.

Yeah, sounds smart.

[MascisMan1]

So let me make sure I understand this. We reduce the size of our military (by pulling our worldwide troops home and decreasing the budget) and we are more safe at home? Religion-driven terrorists won't attack more often realizing that America is no longer capable of reaching out and killing them? Iran and North Korea doesn't proceed with building nuclear weapons once they realize that America can no longer defeat them in a land battle?