Tea partiers say defense in mix for budget cuts

[unhappycamper]

Tea partiers say defense in mix for budget cuts
AP) – 2 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tea partiers clamoring for the debt-ridden government to slash spending say nothing should be off limits. Tea party-backed lawmakers echo that argument, and they're not exempting the military's multibillion-dollar budget in a time of war.

That demand is creating hard choices for the newest members of Congress, especially Republicans who owe their elections and solid House majority to the influential grass-roots movement. Cutting defense and canceling weapons could mean deep spending reductions and high marks from tea partiers as the nation wrestles with a $1.3 trillion deficit. Yet it also could jeopardize thousands of jobs when unemployment is running high.

Proponents of the cuts could face criticism that they're trying to weaken national security in a post-Sept. 11 world.

House Republican leaders specifically exempted defense, homeland security and veterans' programs from spending cuts in their party's "Pledge to America" campaign manifesto last fall. But the House's new majority leader, Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., has said defense programs could join others on the cutting board.

The defense budget is about $700 billion annually. Few in Congress have been willing to make cuts as U.S. troops fight in Afghanistan and finish the operation in Iraq.

[Renew Deal]

1. Why do they hate America?

Just kidding. The only way to begin to make a dent in the defense budget is by making a dent in the defense budget. The defense industry knows they can get almost anything they want.

[xchrom]

2. Color me skeptical. Nt

[w8liftinglady]

5. The cuts will be made where they are being made in civilian life... screw the troops

Cut their body armor supply.
cut their Protective vehicles.
cut the maintainence to walter reed...
But,by God- don't cut the private contracts.
The DoD is still shelling out billions weekly to private corps for military stuff that used to be done by the troops.

[xchrom]

6. indeed. nt

[zbdent]

3. one of the rare points in which, after the commission announced that

the military needed cuts as well as the constantly-attacked "social programs", the media actually points out that, yes, the military machine might have some parts which could face funding cuts ...

[elias49]

4. Have at it Teapot People! nt