It’s amusing in a sick kind of way to watch how politicians react when someone proposes cutting military spending in their states and districts. After Defense Secretary Bob Gates announced his intention to shutter the U.S. Joint Forces Command in the Norfolk, Virginia area, a bipartisan bellow of outrage emanated from all sources. I particularly cherish this complaint.
[Gov. Bob] McDonnell and Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) accused the Obama administration of looking at the defense budget for cuts instead of at other parts of the federal government. The administration is “selling off our military at auction to pay for its social programs,” Forbes said.
If only.
I’m trying to recall the last time a second-rate economy was able to support the world’s most expensive military. My mind is drawing a blank. Any thoughts?
Yeah, the Roman Empire around the end of the 4th century CE. Of course, they weren’t “able” to support their military, they just tried to. Things just moved slower in those days. The British might have been able to carry it off in the first half of the 20th century but those pesky Germans put paid to that idea.
Fuck this fuckwit protofascist woman-hater. God dammit. He has the nerve to say shit like this?
This asshole REMOVED, not cut, but REMOVED, Virginia’s public education breakfast program.
He effectively raised my tuition $2,000 per semester (tuition rose, and he cut one of my grants). Don’t forget the good news! He put Virginia at a $220 million surplus (with foggy math, that is).
So don’t worry, everyone, all is well.
Technically, the quote is from Forbes.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/08/09/98883/gates-proposal-would-cut-thousands.html
Gates wants to cut .7 billion out of 535 billion and people are freaking out UGH.
Gates is trying to cut another 300 million so 1 billion total out of 535. My bad. Let the Whining Begin….
The military doesn’t even need to lobby. They can’t get Congress to kill programs they don’t want.
It’s a rounding error.
Hell, Doc, I spill more’n that.