Paul: Military cuts on the table

[denem]

Source: The Hill

Senator-elect Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Sunday he believes government spending cuts shouldn't exclude the military.

On ABC’s "This Week," Paul said: “Republicans traditionally say, oh, we'll cut domestic spending, but we won't touch the military. The liberals -- the ones who are good -- will say, oh, we'll cut the military, but we won't cut domestic spending.”

“Bottom line is, you have to look at everything across the board.”

Although Paul would not be drawn on specific cuts, he argued for a bipartisan approach: “I don't see things in terms of political party, so I think this can be something where I can work across the aisle -- but the second thing you need is a compromise on where the spending cuts come from.”

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/128045-paul-military-cuts-on-the-table

[iamjoy]

1. At Least He's Consistent

and realistic. The two biggest chunks of our budget are military expenditures and programs like Social Security/Medicare. Now, one could argue that Social Security and Medicare are separately funded, and therefore shouldn't factor into any budget decisions. So, that leaves military spending. And, even if programs like education, transportation, etc are a relatively small part of the budget, they do account for spending.

No, I disagree with Mr. Paul on many things, but I applaud his consistency and willingness to defy his party. I wonder how long it will last.

[James48]

4. only until the third day of January.

That's when he gets sworn in as Senator, and all common sense gets chucked out the window.

Mark it down - the third day of January.

http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/termofasenator.pdf

[SomeGuyInEagan]

20. +1 - his first vote will be whether to raise the debt ceiling ...

... without that, Congress shuts down.

He'll likely vote against that, but by the end-of-the-day will be drummed into submission by McConnell.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

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[dkf]

2. Damn is he more reasonable than the average republican?

[Posteritatis]

3. No he isn't, his unreasonableness just covers different areas. (nt)

[dkf]

7. Lol.

[DCKit]

14. Many of his views would be considered insane among us.

However, this may be something he could embarrass the (R)s into doing for the good of all.

Unfortunately, all social spending will also be on the table, at a time when we can least afford any cuts.

[AlbertCat]

21. Damn is he more reasonable than the average republican?

Nope.

Not until he says "We must cut our military spending" outright.

This vague wishy-washy statement is just more steeping tea steam.

[mcollins]

26. He's not a average republican.

He's a far right tea-bagger.

[krabigirl]

5. Good for him. Somebody has to bring it up. End the wars.

[AllyCat]

6. +1

If there is to be a silver lining in his election, that appears to be it.

[DavidDvorkin]

8. Suuure they are

I'll believe it when I see it.

Or maybe they'll cut veterans' care and tout that as a meaningful cut in defense spending. That wouldn't surprise me.

[Doctor_J]

10. Yeah, this is a bunch of crap

You're right. Privatizing VA health care is probably what he's talking about

[NeoConsSuck]

9. Good luck with that

From an article I just posted, the pukes spell out what they want to cut:

------------------
Other GOP positions spelled out Sunday included reducing non-military "discretionary" spending -- such as department and agency budgets, but not including entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security -- to 2008 levels, reducing federal wages and cutting the federal workforce.
------------------

The military-industrial complex will never be broken. War, war and more war! Bring on Iran, Bring on Pakistan, Bring on Venezeula. And after we finish with them, we'll create new enemies.

[DCKit]

17. "...reducing federal wages and cutting the federal workforce."

I heard Mitch McConnel going on about this, and his plan is to privatize as many Federal services as possible.

When I was working for a government contractor, my salary was less than 25% of what the government was billed for my services. Had I been employed directly by the government, they could have hired three people at a decent salary, with excellent benefits. What is it that people don't get here?

[tinymontgomery]

18. Let's privatize

congress.

[Champion Jack]

11. Why does this arrogant asshole think he has the power to decide

whats on or off the fucking table?

[sarcasmo]

13. What makes him arrogant?

[Journeyman]

12. Well, who knew the Apocalypse would have a laugh track? . . .

[FrenchieCat]

15. He's only supporting something because he knows it will never happen!

[NuclearDem]

16. He's a libertarian

To them, EVERYTHING's on the table to cut

[thereismore]

22. Yes, first Medicare, THEN military. nt

[daleo]

19. The military will be cut eventually

As the U.S. economy continues to be hollowed out by global capitalism, the military decline will inevitably follow. Military and economic power are inextricably linked - it's as old as history.

[Psephos]

23. True, that. n/t

[Trajan]

24. Rand Paul = powerless buffoon ...

Such proclamations are useless ....

[Democat]

27. He'll vote with Republicans every time unless they don't need him

He'll be a "maverick" only when he has approval from the GOP in advance.

[countrydad58]

28. That will be a non

starter with his party.

[Earth_First]

29. So if he does not see this in terms of political party; where was this tidbit during his campaign?

:shrug: