I actually get a huge chuckle when I read a thread or a story about a member of the left expressing 'concern' over something regarding the military or foreign policy. First of all, the left has nothing but disdain and contempt for the military and America's veterans. For the left, those that have served are considered nothing short of 'stooges' for putting their lives on the line for this country. And secondly, foreign policy is always from the perspective that if someone wants to or actually does something negative to the US, naturally we deserved it. It probably is in response to something horrible that we have done and so therefore, our response should be from that perspective. The left is in a perpetual state of apology, appeasement and retreat.
Barry's entire foreign policy experience has been gained during his four years in the White House. No one was more of an amateur at it than Barry and his cronies at the time of his inauguration or now for that matter. Israel, the Czech Republic, Poland, China, the Sea of Japan, the horn of Africa, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Medvedev and the Russians, Georgia (the independent nation not the state). I could go on and on about the failures of this administration in foreign policy, but I won't. The only bright spot is Hillary. She has actually turned out to be an adequate Secretary of State and quite frankly if I was Mitt, I would definately seek out her counsel once Barry and his cronies are sent packing back to Bill Ayers and the Reverand Wright. Course, Hillary gets her marching orders from Barry and his lackies. She doesn't have much to work with.
Two weeks ago, a small story buried at the back of the days news spoke of the execution of two hostages by the pirates in Somalia. The two people they executed had been held for six months and no 'adequate' response was received regarding their ransom. The article went on to say that after several years of decline, the number of hijacks by pirates around the horn had increased. The reason? The US Navy has had to pull ships from the multi-national force patrolling here because of course, there are not enough men, money or ships to keep them there. We are below 300 ships and falling rapidly. The days of a 600 ship or even a 500 ship navy during the Reagan and Bush years is nothing but a fond memory.
Hopefully, God willing and the creeks don't rise, it will be Mitt Romney who would take that call, if there are any calls to take. And hopefully, Mitt can restore some sanity to the levels of defense spending.
Course for entertainment we can always look to Harry Reid and the Senate Democrats to surrender almost instantly at the sign of trouble...
Couple of things here, the last time our nation had more than 500 total ships in the US Navy was 1991, in 2000 the Navy's ship level was 318, and it reached a low of 278 in 2007, and is now as of 2011 at 285.
US Ship Force Levels
The current US Navy long term plan through 2042 is to have a force level of 300 ships and has set ship construction levels to that amount.
While it's true the overall DOD Budget is set for a 6% decrease for FY2013 at around 700 plus Billion Dollars that is still almost 250 Billion dollars more than we were spending on Defense in 2001. So to say that DOD cannot be reformed and to simply toss money at DOD without trying take a look at how they spend money is not very wise. Take for example the F-35 JSF, PW makes the primary engine for that fighter and for a while there even though that engine has been tested and qualified for it, and DOD was not asking for it, congress wanted to build a second engine for it made by G.E. which is unwise. I think there is room at DOD to take a look at how they spend money which will benefit the services and deliver to the warfigher the tools needed for the job and ontime. As for Gov. Romney I would have a lot more faith in his ability had I a little more detail other than just tossing money at DOD without any plan behind it.
One last thing...
The House Budget Committee, chaired by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), has told a veterans' group it is studying a plan to save $6 billion annually in VA health care costs by cancelling enrollment of any veteran who doesn't have a service-related medical condition and is not poor.
Committee Republicans, searching for ways to curb federal deficits and rein in galloping VA costs, are targeting 1.3 million veterans who claim priority group 7 or 8 status and have access to VA care.
VA Care End Eyed for 1.3 Million Vets
In my humble opinion USAF, not all of these men who are running have the best in mind for our nation, or those who defend it and have defended it, be it Mitt Romney or President Obama, and often times what is lost in all this, are the people that actually do the heavy lifting and that is the warfighters themselves, and their families , and personally I would rather see one less F-35 and more benefit to the warfighter, or one less deployment that I would see our nation in places we don't need to defend any longer and use those resources to support the war fighter and their families rather than the contractors .
