[null and void]

If history is a guide, we can’t really have a world war until America disarms.

[twister881]

Obama is a Marxist traitor who thinks the U.S. is to blame for the world’s ills. Unilateral disarmament, Red Chinese hegemony, and pandemic Islamism are Hussein’s goals. The 2012 election is the most important since 1860.

[Captain7seas]

Meanwhile, plans for giving American missile secrets to Moscow are moving forward without any visable opposition.

[KantianBurke]

[informavoracious]

The military will be gutted until all red-blooded, America-loving patriots are forced out. At the same time, those with a different agenda will be encouraged to enlist. When the liberals get the right kind of people in a military that would willingly turn on its own citizens, there will be funding like no tomorrow. Wait and see.

[ThunderSleeps]

...his plans for a "leaner" military based on the need "to renew our economic strength here at home...

In other words, hussein needs more $$$ to blow on his socialistic programs and agenda. He is willing to directly weaken the US and he will cost American lives.

[Graewoulf]

Just another reason to Impeach the Coward in Chief Obama.

[T-Bird45]

The closing paragraph of the IBD editorial should be the basis for the conversation going forward. Defense is a constitutional requirement that can’t be ignored if America is to survive. Financial challenges have to be met in other budget areas without sacrificing national security.

[Bellflower]

If it a way to destroy the USA he spins it, trying to make it seem plausible. The spin is getting so transparent you would have to be stark raving blind to not see through it.

[Venturer]

Cutting the Army, Navy and Marines, will mean more pressure placed on reserves.

One would have to be nuts to join the reserves.

[philman_36]

DC is dumb. While they're still trying to figure out why arms sales were so strong last year those who knew (or had a general idea) that this would come along are oiling up their new toys, smiling all the time.
We don't need a standing army, just as the Founding Fathers outlined in the Constitution.

[ken5050]

I want to take a slightly different approach here. There is no doubt that Obama IS gutting the military, and our ability to respond, by aiming cuts to reduce the strength of the Army and Marines.

HOWEVER, that does NOT deny the fact that the military establishment, like any other government entity, is bloated and wasteful to a certain extent. Anyone who has ever served in the armed forces can attest to that. Does anyone doubt that the military could achieve an across the board savings of anywheres from 5-10% of its budget without reducing our military strength?

The procurement process, be it CVNs or fighters, causes excessive cost overruns. Congressional mandates add billions..as contracts are awarded due to politcal influence..(see John Murtha) Social engineering policies add huge costs, and do nothing for our readiness.

The Pentagon is bloated beyond belief. At the height of WW II, when the US had almost 15 million in the military, the number of general officers ( and their attendant staffs) was less that one fifth of the number we have now, when the military is now about 1/10 the size. THere is NO excuse for that.

The Ft Hood murderer is STILL drawing his full salary and benefits, let alone first rate medical care, while awaiting trial. That is bizarre.

[raptor22]

Disarmament ping

[DTogo]

Not trying to defend Obama, but a $460B reduction over ten years is $46B per year. Out of a $689B defense budget in 2010 that would be a ~6.7% reduction.

What's the problem with that? Is there not 6.7% of waste or useless items in the annual defense budget to be cut?

If only ALL other federal spending could be cut 6.7% (at least) as well!