Subject below deserves both serious thought and definitive action, assuming one can divorce themselves from focus on Malaysian Air Flt 307 and Crimea. Obamas continuing transformation of America and fixation on cutting defense and what appears to be almost a total commitment to significantly weaken the US is, in my mind, getting too little play in the media and minds of so called lawmakers in Washington. Sure, we can reduce the defense budget by reducing some active component forces by a reasonable percentage after the current war in Afghanistan is concluded (I would have ended it years ago). Additionally, closing unneeded bases and further reducing the civilian workforce would save big dollars. However, no Congressman with military installations wants to go there. Wasteful military equipment procurement programs can be reduced, but no Congressman wants to go there for fear of losing defense $ in their districts and/or $ for their reelection campaigns. One needs to look at the big picture in terms of actual expenditures for defense and foreign military assistance programs to determine if we are bankrupting America by maintaining a strong military force. 2012 is the latest year I can find for a complete look at major US Government expenditures. Per the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, the US government spent $3.5 Trillion or 23% of the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Of the $3.5 Trillion, 19% went to Defense and International Security Assistance (ISA should be a prime target for trimming $); 22% went to Social Security; 21% went to Medicare, Medicaid, etc.; 12% went to Safety Net Programs and 6% went for interest on the national debt. Looking at deficit numbers, now and projected for the future, the current regime in Washington has no serious plans to cut spending. Clearly, the government is looking to cut defense $ and add $ for social programs to expand dependency on the government and retain political power. How many really understand the external dangers we face now and potentially in the future? Are we rapidly becoming the largest Banana Republic on the planet? How many really care? SO DISTURBING --- AND IT’S ONLY THE BEGINNING!!!!! While OBAMA Slept… Via The Hill: Away from the conflict in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin is quietly seeking a foothold in Latin America, military officials warn. To the alarm of lawmakers and Pentagon officials, Putin has begun sending navy ships and long-range bombers to the region for the first time in years. Russia’s defense minister says the country is planning bases in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, and just last week, Putin’s national security team met to discuss increasing military ties in the region. “They’re on the march,” Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) said at a Senate hearing earlier this month. “They’re working the scenes where we can’t work. And they’re doing a pretty good job.” Gen. James Kelly, commander of U.S. Southern Command said there has been a “noticeable uptick in Russian power projection and security force personnel” in Latin America. “It has been over three decades since we last saw this type of high-profile Russian military presence,” Kelly said at the March 13 hearing. The U.S. military says it has been forced to cut back on its engagement with military and government officials in Latin America due to budget cuts. Kelly said the U.S. military had to cancel more than 200 effective engagement activities and multi-lateral exercises in Latin America last year.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 11:58:20 +0000
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