Okay, my idea needs to be brought into the mainstream.

[Indiana_Dem]

Tell me what you think about my idea. Constructive criticism here.

You know how all the Republicans and 100% conservatives argue about the need to privatize Social Security, Medicare, school-vouchers and the like?

The Democrats could make an argument regarding privatizing the defense budget! Tell them we favor investing a portion of the annual defense budget into the stocks!!! They would then argue that it would be too risky. Then the Dems could come back and ask why we should privately invest our Social Security into the stock market!

Can you see the logical argument here? Of course, I'm being hypothetical because I realize it would hurt our fellow servicemen. But it would be a good zinger that someone like Al Sharpton could bring up and make them spin!!

[Dookus]

1. huh?

First, the Defense budget isn't a market fund. It's money that's spent. And huge portions of it are ALREADY spent in the private sector. Spent badly, too.

Not sure what you're trying to get at.

[Indiana_Dem]

4. Well, Im not so sure what you mean either.

Don't they set up a defense budget every year? Part of the funding could be placed in the stock markets to "grow" like they want to do with the Social Security. It's just argument using their own logic for Social Security privatization. I don't know how else to explain it.

[Dover]

2. Don't think so. They'd probably just do insider trading and use

other illegal means to manipulate a profit. Wasn't there just a story about how Congress's portfolios were surprisingly robust? Now why do you suppose that is?

[Indiana_Dem]

6. Then why couldn't we have a system set up where

those of us who don't want to fund wars have the option of not? Wouldn't that be along the idea of privatization and less government like they propose for every other social program?

[PVnRT]

3. A lot of it already is

In the form of bloated defense contracts.

[Cleita]

5. They would like it.

The military is becoming more and more privatized anyway. Privitization is just another word for stealing the taxpayer's money. In a few years, after we take over the world, tribute will be funneled into the USA, just like it was in ancient Rome. It won't go to benefit Americans anymore than it did in Rome. It will pay for more armies, more wars and more corporate "benefits" that no one will be able to afford other than the rich.

[Lonely_Liberal]

7. Privatize the Army?

Rumsfeld has suggested that the U.S. military be "privatized." If that means that corporations will start paying for their own wars instead of taxpayers, maybe it's a good deal. Then again. . .

[Indiana_Dem]

8. EWW that doesn't sound good does it??

Oh well. That's what I get for thinking.

[Cleita]

9. Bad Idea.

You will have every political faction and party with their own army or militia like in Germany before Hitler became dictator. They helped Hitler get there. Militias wandered the streets inflicting their idea of order and fighting and killing each other.