Gates Proposing Cuts in Military Budget

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by gimpy117

Good Move. Our spending has been out of control. Sure, we still need to defend our nation with new technology...but we need to get away from writing blank checks.

Also, the wars of Afghanistan and Iraq were some of the least cost effective wars EVER. A lot of it had to do with all of the pork contracts given to friends of the administration. Like all of the cost plus contracts. There were stories of contractors not even doing their jobs building wells etc. and then just turning around and reporting "costs" and getting a cut on top of that.

And to suggest Reagen's spending collapsed the soviet union? They did it to themselves. The CCCP fell from within from political strife, and lost taxes because new regional governments refused taxes to moscow. The cold war lasted a lot longer than just the Reagen years...and to suggest that it was all due to him is farce.

With hindsight, one can easily say that it would have done, but since you mention new technology, so also reduces the risk to other things that could compromise national security, and the action will not compromise on

[gimpy117]

Originally Posted by Vendor

With hindsight, one can easily say that it would have done, but since you mention new technology, so also reduces the risk to other things that could compromise national security, and the action will not compromise on

But whats worse? a total financial collapse or not having the new wizz-bang killing gadget? I'm all for military development. it's a necessary evil, but some of this spending has to be carefully watched. We can't just keep handing out blank checks to every arms developer and expect our money to be effectively spent.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by gimpy117

But whats worse? a total financial collapse or not having the new wizz-bang killing gadget? I'm all for military development. it's a necessary evil, but some of this spending has to be carefully watched. We can't just keep handing out blank checks to every arms developer and expect our money to be effectively spent.

You are right, the military technology must be maintained, and there is one basic fact in each country's sovereignty, at least if you ask me, and so will occur even in the U.S.

[gimpy117]

must economies as well. A bankrupt county is a non effective fighting force.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by gimpy117

must economies as well. A bankrupt county is a non effective fighting force.

It all hangs together, and the balance in the economy, must have room to grow, and then you have to have a government that has the will and strength to pursue what is relevant and important for the country