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In his first post-election speech, Rep. Buck McKeon, the California Republican whos about to become the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, warned that cutting defense spending was a red line for me and should be a red line for all Americans. Speaking to the conservative Foreign Policy Institute in Washington, McKeon argued that the Pentagons projected one percent real growth in the defense budget over the next five years is a net cut for investment and procurement accounts.
A defense budget in decline portends an America in decline, McKeon said, arguing that cuts will have geopolitical consequences, undermin[ing] our ability to project power, strengthen our adversaries and weaken our alliances.
During a post-speech press conference, McKeon didnt sound like he was out to cut any specific programs. He reminded reporters that he supports the funding of a second engine for the F-35, something both Obama and Gates consider unnecessary. With all the talk of cuts, he said, pretty soon, my concern is that we end up back with a bow and arrow.
Cut the Defense Budget? Over My Cold, Dead Gavel | Danger Room | Wired.com
In his first post-election speech, Rep. Buck McKeon, the California Republican whos about to become the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, warned that cutting defense spending was a red line for me and should be a red line for all Americans. Speaking to the conservative Foreign Policy Institute in Washington, McKeon argued that the Pentagons projected one percent real growth in the defense budget over the next five years is a net cut for investment and procurement accounts.
A defense budget in decline portends an America in decline, McKeon said, arguing that cuts will have geopolitical consequences, undermin[ing] our ability to project power, strengthen our adversaries and weaken our alliances.
During a post-speech press conference, McKeon didnt sound like he was out to cut any specific programs. He reminded reporters that he supports the funding of a second engine for the F-35, something both Obama and Gates consider unnecessary. With all the talk of cuts, he said, pretty soon, my concern is that we end up back with a bow and arrow.
Well this should not come as any surprise. I don't think any of us actually expected the GOP to go ahead and cut the military budget that is filled with more waste than a landfill.
As a conservative, any Republican who doesn't favor cutting defense spending is a complete dope. But I don't mean cutting it to the bone, just eliminating the fat that is there as in any large budget. Planes, ships, other resources the military has stated they don't need but politicians insist they "buy" because it keeps folks back home in districts/states employed, contributions coming in to reelection war chests, etc.
2 carriers, a carrier grp. 200 f-22's, at least 50 F-35's ( or more 35's in exchange for even less 22'as which cost more) I guess don't count as cuts?
As a conservative, any Republican who doesn't favor cutting defense spending is a complete dope. But I don't mean cutting it to the bone, just eliminating the fat that is there as in any large budget. Planes, ships, other resources the military has stated they don't need but politicians insist they "buy" because it keeps folks back home in districts/states employed, contributions coming in to reelection war chests, etc.
Streamline the procurement process and make it more competitive, there would be a good start. I know some work was done but it obviously needs a lot more. Only so many companies can build a plane, but what about everything else from soup to nuts?
I keep saying this and I've been saying it for a few years now, if they're serious they'll take the time to go through the budget line by line and look at EVERYTHING. No departments, programs or pets off the table. Some of the crap we're funding is programs, tax breaks or subsidies that stopped making sense 20 years ago, assuming they ever did in the first place. What program once started ever dies on its own?
No sacred cows, each spending item on its own merits.
I keep saying this and I've been saying it for a few years now, if they're serious they'll take the time to go through the budget line by line and look at EVERYTHING. No departments, programs or pets off the table. Some of the crap we're funding is programs, tax breaks or subsidies that stopped making sense 20 years ago, assuming they ever did in the first place. What program once started ever dies on its own?
No sacred cows, each spending item on its own merits.
Neither party wants to do that, they BOTH have pet projects and departments that they don't want touched, but little partisan hacks like ModBert want to pretend that it only exists on one side.
Cut the Defense Budget? Over My Cold, Dead Gavel | Danger Room | Wired.com
In his first post-election speech, Rep. Buck McKeon, the California Republican whos about to become the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, warned that cutting defense spending was a red line for me and should be a red line for all Americans. Speaking to the conservative Foreign Policy Institute in Washington, McKeon argued that the Pentagons projected one percent real growth in the defense budget over the next five years is a net cut for investment and procurement accounts.
A defense budget in decline portends an America in decline, McKeon said, arguing that cuts will have geopolitical consequences, undermin[ing] our ability to project power, strengthen our adversaries and weaken our alliances.
During a post-speech press conference, McKeon didnt sound like he was out to cut any specific programs. He reminded reporters that he supports the funding of a second engine for the F-35, something both Obama and Gates consider unnecessary. With all the talk of cuts, he said, pretty soon, my concern is that we end up back with a bow and arrow.
Well this should not come as any surprise. I don't think any of us actually expected the GOP to go ahead and cut the military budget that is filled with more waste than a landfill.
So Democrats are now blaming Republicans for something they could have done but didn't? Seems pretty lame to me. The Democrats had a President in the White House and a Super Majority in Congress yet never attempted to cut the Defense Budget. They have no right to demand anything of the Republicans. If cutting the Defense Budget was so important to them,why didn't they do it when they had all the power? Democrats should not be trusted. End of story.
So Democrats are now blaming Republicans for something they could have done but didn't? Seems pretty lame to me. The Democrats had a President in the White House and a Super Majority in Congress yet never attempted to cut the Defense Budget. They have no right to demand anything of the Republicans. If cutting the Defense Budget was so important to them,why didn't they do it when they had all the power? Democrats should not be trusted. End of story.
good point, the dems made the same argument about repubs when they could have done something....
unfortunately, i'm learning its politics as usual and most people's rants depend on who is in office
