BRAC The Deficit

American Thinker ^ | February 15, 2011 | Gregory Buls

[neverdem]

The combined magnitude of our economic and fiscal problems dwarfs any of the politically sticky problems we've faced in the past, and our situation is complicated in ways past crises were not. Tough times call for a new mechanism for achieving the large spending cuts necessary to avoid an economic collapse. Fortunately, a successful model exists for making difficult cuts.

The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission process was created by Congress to deal with the politically sensitive problem of shuttering domestic military installations.  After public comment and review, BRAC reports accepted by the President are deemed approved by Congress unless rejected within 45 days.  While still maintaining ultimate control, Congress has passed the buck in a responsible way, closing more than 350 facilities to date.  The sixth BRAC report is scheduled for 2015 -- BRAC continues to provide cover for politicians demanding sacrifice.

BRACs offer us the hope that politically sensitive policies can actually be implemented.  And BRACs give us the ability to act both precisely and massively -- they are the legislative equivalent of the neutron bomb.

Separate BRACs can be established to address all aspects of our government's 100-year war against free enterprise and individual liberty: tax credits and subsidies, entitlements, resource leases, asset sales, welfare, labor law, government employee pensions, business regulations, environmental regulations, taxation -- virtually the entire panoply of federal edicts and expenditures.

Our recent experience with Barack Obama's non-binding 'deficit commission' points to the need for BRACs.  Most of their recommended spending cuts were dismissed by legislators, generally because they considered the cuts unduly painful and unfair.  None of the commission's recommendations appear to be incorporated in the President's new budget introduced yesterday. A more realistic plan would presumably have been subjected to even greater derision and more rapid and rabid dismissal.  The deficit commission experience frames the overall problem clearly, as cruel irony: the more credible a solution is, the less likely it is to be supported by our representatives -- assuming they sense that they might be 'blamed' for it.

Even if conservatives gain seats in 2012 and capture the White House, there is little guarantee that they will be able to do enough to save us from stagnation and debt servitude.  The democrats seem to be doubling down on everything, and may retain the ability to filibuster.

The House should propose a raft of BRACs now, and use their leverage in the upcoming debt-limit debate to secure them.  If the President opposes BRACs, Congress must be ready to act on them in early 2013, and BRACs should be a central part of the 2012 election campaign.

For BRACs to be effective, guidelines should include the following:

1. The party makeup of each BRAC commission should reflect the congressional division of power.

2.  A simple majority commission vote should send each proposal to Congress for an up or down vote.

3. The Senate should adopt special orders which exclude the use of the filibuster when considering BRAC proposals.

4. Rejecting a BRAC commission report should trigger a legislative poison-pill backup.  If a report is rejected by Congress, or by the President, they would be required to propose their own measures which achieve the BRAC commission's targets, then offer the legislation for an up or down vote. 

President Obama will see BRACs as a threat to his ideology, but he has proven to be feckless, and is daily less capable of shaping opinion.  Reality has left him behind; he clings to what amounts to little more than rank gamesmanship. The more astute and practical leftists already know that the jig is up, and will embrace BRACs.  BRACs offer the left a chance to share credit for successes, and possibly postpone the complete repudiation of liberalism.

Hypothetically, Americans still retain the power to salvage our country's future.  But the logical next question still remains unanswered: Can we can find a way to actually exercise that power?  Bring on the BRACs. 

[neverdem]

It's an idea for feckless politicians, but that's what we mostly have, other than those identifying with the Tea Party. The cost of entitlements and the interest on the national debt will crush the young. Somebody better start getting out that message.

[FromLori]

Barack Obama’s Budget For 2012: A Complete And Total Joke

[Brad from Tennessee]

Whenever they actually close a base they give the property and buildings to local government. Some of these bases are prime real estate that could be sold to help reduce the military budget.

[neverdem]

Thanks for the link. Even WaPo wasn't impressed.

President Obama's budget kicks the hard choices further down the road (WaPo whacks Punter in Chief)

[neverdem]

Whenever they actually close a base they give the property and buildings to local government. Some of these bases are prime real estate that could be sold to help reduce the military budget.

NY City got Governor's Island for $1.00. I don't know if they did anything with it yet. I think San Francisco got the Presidio for the same amount, and they are having a similar problem, IIRC. The former World Trade Center is only a foudation still.

I don't know how many bases can still be closed. The Guard and Reserve need to train somewhere. Fort Dix in NJ is still being used by the Guard and Reserve.

[napscoordinator]

The BRAC idea is dumb. We are already down to the bone on bases. Now years and years we have had BRAC because it would save a ton of money......where are the results?????

[neverdem]

The BRAC idea is dumb. We are already down to the bone on bases.

I could agree, but I'm not sure. See comment# 5.

Now years and years we have had BRAC because it would save a ton of money......where are the results?????

We have had much reduced operating and support personnel costs. Check all the dough that hasn't been spent.

The Federal Government’s Unspent Billions : "Unobligated balances” sit in government accounts

[neverdem]

The link doesn’t work.

[Rockingham]

This is a credible proposal, although the devil is in the details.

[neverdem]

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The Nazi Origins of Apocalyptic Global Warming Theory

Why don't Americans believe in global warming? (barf alert!)

Some noteworthy articles about politics, foreign or military affairs, IMHO, FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.

[NTHockey]

BRAC is just another political game played with our money.
A. A commission is appointed, with staff and budget.
B. Commission meets hundreds of times; travels to each base.
C. Commission reports its recommendations.
D. Politicians representing “their” base scream and holler.
E. Foot dragging goes on for several years; “savings” disappear and bases stay open.

NAS Willow Grove near Philadelphia was supposed to close under BRAC 2005. It is STILL open, although scheduled to close in September 2011 - SIX years after the fact.

[Brad from Tennessee]

Back in the 1980’s it was speculated that the real estate value of the Presidio and Camp Pendleton combined was equal to the national debt. Of course if Pendleton was sold they'd have to build another one someplace which would be just as costly. Aside from these bases there are millions of acres of federal lands, particularly in the West, that could be sold off. How about super-exclusive, residential enclaves inside national parks and forests? Even Defense Secretary Gates said the debt was becoming the prime national security threat.

[T-Bird45]

NAS Willow Grove near Philadelphia was supposed to close under BRAC 2005. It is STILL open, although scheduled to close in September 2011 - SIX years after the fact.

Just because a base goes on the BRAC report, it doesn't mean they padlock the gate immediately or even as quickly as you or I may like. There is still a process to close/move units and activities to other locations that are deemed economical to operate.

[sweetiepiezer]

Thanks for the ping Doc

Jack Daniels on the deficit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rl1xgT3REE

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[FromLori]

Sorry about that I’m trying to learn how to embed links but here it is this way I know it works.

Barack Obama’s Budget For 2012: A Complete And Total Joke

http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/barack-obamas-budget-for-2012-a-complete-and-total-joke

[FromLori]

Give’s a visual perspective to spending like a drunken sailer.