Republicans put Defense on the budget cut block.

[davidmash]

Never thought I would see them even entertain this idea.

Defense cuts

To hear the Republican leadership tell it, the once-sacred Pentagon budget, protected by the party for generations, is suddenly on the table. But a closer look shows that even as Speaker John A. Boehner and Representative Eric Cantor, the House majority leader, insist on the need for military cuts, divisions have opened among Republicans about whether, and how much, to chop Pentagon spending that comes to more than a half trillion dollars a year.

I won't hold my breath but I guess it could happen.

[Botnst]

That's the first time I've ever heard of that party suggesting the possibility. In itself, that's something.

But as you say .....

[chilcutt]

Slogan during Vettnahm era protests...'SUPPOSE THEY GAVE A WAR...AND NOBODY CAME'

[jdc1244]

Mr. McKeon, for one, is concerned, and has quietly been meeting with the new members — a number have no experience in government — to educate them on national security. One Congressional staff member who closely monitors the military said, “While McKeon would say that all members are entitled to advocate for positions they want to advocate, what he has been doing is working to educate new members on what the threats are, and why we need the defense budget close to where it is.” The staff member asked for anonymity to discuss Mr. McKeon’s private meetings.

I’m sure once ‘educated’ we won’t be hearing about Pentagon cuts from TPM Republicans again.

Mr. McKeon, who represents a California district that is home to major defense contractors, was the single biggest recipient in the House of campaign contributions from military aerospace companies and their employees.

And there you have it.

[Hatterasguy]

I was watching Fox today as I was working out (I know its Fox) but the republican on their was talking about how nothing is sacred for the proposed cuts. Sounded like they were planning to cut across the board.

[Emmerich]

They are talking "smart" cuts like pulling 10's of thousands of troops from Germany. The cost to keep them and their families there is huge, it helps the German economy a LOT and they failed to support us in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bring them home....

[Pooka]

It could be that our mission in Germany is over. I remember when the US Navy left Subic Bay and there were howls of protests from here and there. But that was long ago and the US managed to survive.

The US was thrown out of France a long time ago. Do we still have a base in Greenland?

One bit of wisdom from the Founding Fathers that is likely to be popular again.... "Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves."

[Botnst]

Originally Posted by Emmerich

They are talking "smart" cuts like pulling 10's of thousands of troops from Germany. The cost to keep them and their families there is huge, it helps the German economy a LOT and they failed to support us in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bring them home....

Germans are in Afghanistan, much to the dismay of their electorate. They did not go to Iraq. As a nation, the Germans are anti-war. Kind of ironic, I guess.

[75Sv1]

Originally Posted by Botnst

That's the first time I've ever heard of that party suggesting the possibility. In itself, that's something.

But as you say .....

I think the late 80's they tried to reign in defense spending. THey even set up a a work force to watch spending. Yeh, guess what got cut? I think like our present medical expensese, there is a lot of waste and inificencies. So, a lot of savings to be had.
I was over in Germany a few times. I can remeber some of them wanting the US to go home. About 10 years latter, the fall of the Iron Curtain and troops were pulled out. That and the Einheit (reunification) had a recession effect.
Tom

[SwampYankee]

Originally Posted by davidmash

Never thought I would see them even entertain this idea.

Defense cuts


I won't hold my breath but I guess it could happen.

Not if the Democrats from CT have anything to say about it. ***(We've got huge defense industry interests.)

If we/they are going to be realistic, I don't see how any budget item can escape the cuts.


***Disclaimer: I actually have no knowledge as to where our elected officials will come down on the matter, just that they've battled hard in the past to maintain those dollars coming into the state.

[Hatterasguy]

Pulling all of our troops out of Europe would be a good start, since it hasn't had any strategic importance in over 20 years. I don't see the Russians invading anytime soon.

Its not in the DOD's job description to prop up foreign economies with our tax dollars.

Edit it looks like we have about 120k personal in Europe, take them out.

[75Sv1]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Pulling all of our troops out of Europe would be a good start, since it hasn't had any strategic importance in over 20 years. I don't see the Russians invading anytime soon.

Its not in the DOD's job description to prop up foreign economies with our tax dollars.

Edit it looks like we have about 120k personal in Europe, take them out.

It does make a good staging area for other theaters of operations. Notice that a lot of solderiers are medivaced to Europe from the ME. Russia is still a threat. Notice the invasion of Georgia. So, some presence is needed.
Tom

I'm all for cutting "defense" spending significantly; but we do have to remember that it is primarily a "stimulus" program, just another way to dump large amounts money into the economy. I would prefer to see the money go someplace useful, but they have to proceed carefully.

[aklim]

Well, that is a good idea since we don't need such a troop presence in Europe. HOWEVER, lets see if it really gets off the ground.

This might be like the time the Reps turned around and said "Go impeach Bush" knowing the Dems will probably never do it. Sounded good didn't it? Sounds like the want the truth to be out.

It might be real or just more political posturing. What to believe? Well, if I had to bet today, I'll bet that it is political posturing based on my great faith in human beings.

Not to worry. The Dems will find an issue to do the same and they will do it. Then the Reps will do the same thing again. The cycle will continue. People can't help it. They are what they are. To expect more from a person of any political party, affiliation, country, race, etc, etc is plain crazy, IMO

[cscmc1]

Originally Posted by 75Sv1

It does make a good staging area for other theaters of operations. Notice that a lot of solderiers are medivaced to Europe from the ME.

It sure as hell does. Anyone arguing otherwise isn't paying attention. No one goes from the US straight to Afghanistan.