Why we must reduce military spending (Barney Frank & Ron Paul)

The Hill's Congress Blog ^ | 7/06/2010 | Barney Frank & Ron Paul

[Sic Parvis Magna]

As members of opposing political parties, we disagree on a number of important issues. But we must not allow honest disagreement over some issues interfere with our ability to work together when we do agree.

By far the single most important of these is our current initiative to include substantial reductions in the projected level of American military spending as part of future deficit reduction efforts. For decades, the subject of military expenditures has been glaringly absent from public debate. Yet the Pentagon budget for 2010 is $693 billion — more than all other discretionary spending programs combined. Even subtracting the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, military spending still amounts to over 42% of total spending.

[Sic Parvis Magna]

There is also an article on this topic at Foreign Policy: "Life by a Thousand Cuts".

[Gen. Burkhalter]

Ron Paul now getting into bed with Barney Fwank?

HE IS NO CONSERVATIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He is a wacko!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[equalitybeforethelaw]

So Barney wants to cut defense spending. I guess Barney has become a deficit hawk?

[bill1952]

> For decades, the subject of military expenditures has been glaringly absent from public debate.

BS I hear it ad nausem

[tgusa]

The Odd Couple

[DaisyCutter]

Calling attention to the fact that the Pentagon wastes billions and billions every year makes one a wacko?

[beethovenfan]

Meanwhile, China, Russia, North Korea and Iran are greatly expanding their military capabilities. Bend over, Bawney, you’re going to take a really big one.

[The Sons of Liberty]

Iraq should’ve been made to pay war reparations.

[Myrddin]

more than all other discretionary spending programs combined.

Let's see the spending on non-discretionary items. Entitlement programs. Stuff that is unconstitutional, yet consumes the vast majority of the budget. What a pair of buffoons. The military is one of the few constitutional expenditures made by the federal government.

[MissTed]

How many of the overseas military bases do we really need? Close some of those and put our fine military on the border.

[Drill Thrawl]

Traitors! Both of them. Treat them as such.

[Da Coyote]

Yup, Barney is such a brilliant - er, something.

After all, look at his success with Fanny and Freddie Mae/

Perhaps he should do what he does best - with fannys only.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

For decades, the subject of military expenditures has been glaringly absent from public debate.

Cutting military spending is all we heard when Clinton was President.

Maybe we can talk about the other $2 and 1/2 trillion in annual Federal spending?

[Gen. Burkhalter]

BHO’s agenda is clear and so is Barney Frank’s: Emasculate our military.

Wise up and get damned clue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It disgusts me to no end when Republicans go along with the radical left agenda and give it a veneer of legitimacy.

[Kartographer]

I wonder if Braney has asked Paul to play ‘doctor’ yet?

[b4its2late]

Iraq should’ve been made to pay war reparations.

In oil.

[Sic Parvis Magna]

I guess Barney has become a deficit hawk?

Highly doubtful.

I think it's a good idea to rein in some of the contracting, and I don't have a problem with closing some of our bases in Europe and Asia. However, I can't agree with either of them that we need to pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan without those countries being stable.

[The Bronze Titan]

"You're a...."

[LeonardFMason]

Ron Paul = Utterly worthless

Defense spending equals JOBS. Welfare spending equals nothing.

[jwparkerjr]

It's tough to cut military spending in a world where you are the de facto defender of liberty and freedom. The best way to get in a position to cut spending on our military would be to do the things that deter those who might consider taking us on in an armed conflict. IMHO, the starting place for that is Iran. Replace that regime that is interested more in taking good care of its citizen and less with imposing their religion on the entire world and you would have a much easier time of getting a handle on our military budget.