My letter to BO: "If you're going to freeze spending, then why is military spending sacred?"

[adamuu]

If you're going to freeze spending, then why is military spending sacred?

If we are really on the brink of bankruptcy, it is certainly because of the $1.05 trillion we have spent, and more we plan to spend, on terrorism-related wars. In that sense, I suppose the "terrorists have won". Although it is impossible to put a dollar amount on American life, let's not lose perspective, here. The risk of another ~ 3,000 Americans (0.001 %) losing their lives hardly seems worth bringing the entire country to the point where it needs a "spending freeze" in domestic areas just so we can afford to perpetuate the wars. Ten times more Americans die from the flu every year, and we don't spend anywhere near as much on an ongoing War on The Flu. Besides, that assumes that the wars on terror have been effective. The Antrax mailer, the Shoe Bomber, and the Underpants Bomber prove that the wars are not totally preventing terrorism, anyway.

In any case, I know there is overhead in the defense spending because there were "no-bid contracts". Assuming you are right that a freeze in federal government spending during a recession is necessary, why is the defense related spending untouchable?

-adamuu

Sent. Thanks everyone.

[RedCloud]

1. And get back that 2.3 trillion dollars "missing". Give it all to folks under 250,000 per annum.

That could fix a lot of problems for people.

[adamuu]

8. How About Freezing Defense Spending? (Daily Kos's mcjoan), incl. statements from Sen. Ben Cardin

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/1/26/830566/-How-About-Freezing-Defense-Spending

This morning, both Greenwald and Ackerman weigh in on defense spending. Their voices have been bolstered by Senator Ben Cardin's, who tells Obama to freeze military spending, too:

"Defense represents a significant part of our discretionary spending in this country. The defense establishment needs to be under fiscal discipline, as do all of our agencies." Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) told reporters in the Capitol. "I don't think defense should be exempt. If there are extraordinary things that occur that require us to respond for national security, we always will be prepared to do that. But to exempt the normal military spending just because it's military, to me, is wrong."

The U.S. government spends more on defense than on all other discretionary spending combined, according to the Congressional Budget office.

The CBO estimated that for fiscal year 2009, the government will spend $584 billion on non-defense discretionary spending. Meanwhile, the U.S. will lay out $657 billion on defense spending. That would make it 4.6 percent of the gross domestic product, the highest share since 1992, when the Cold War ended.

[Ruby the Liberal]

2. Good memo. Thank you.

[adamuu]

4. You're welcome. Thank you for the compliment

I put so much time into these letters; it's tough to imagine them falling down the Memory Hole.

[Deep13]

3. We don't just spend more than any other military...

...we spend more than EVERY other military!

[adamuu]

5. Excellent point. n/t

[Mari333]

6. knr..they dont realize we know the truth

[adamuu]

9. Whoa. I hadn't seen that chart before.

Thanks, I guess.

[Luciferous]

7. Excellent letter! You bring up some very valid points :)

[adamuu]

11. Thanks :) n/t

[amborin]

10. Progressive Democrats of America PDA : Oppose War Spending: article:

"As part of the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) Brown Bag Lunch Vigils, a delegation of the Metro San Diego PDA met with staffers in Congresswoman Susan Davis’ office afternoon to let her know that they expect their representative to act in the interest of the working people in her district and not fat-cat corporate lobbyists. In keeping with the theme, "Brown Bag Lunch Vigils" former Democratic Congressional candidate, Jeeni Criscenzo, who led the delegation, brought a basket of brown bag lunches with homemade scones, peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches and organic apples, so people who were taking their lunch break to meet with their representative could have a healthy lunch. She explained to staffer Jessica Poole that most working people in her district (and those looking for work) can’t afford to go out for lunch, and the peanut-butter and jelly sandwich in a paper sack is a representation of who we are.

While they munched on lunch, the delegates, including local activists, Carol Jahnkow, Dan Watman, Jaun del Rio, Pat Gracian and Jerry Malamud, explained to Davis’ staffers that they strongly oppose President Omama’s latest request for an additional $33 Billion dollars for war in Afghanistan. “We need that money here. Congress tells us there isn’t enough money for single payer healthcare, and then turns around and spends billions upon billions to blow up and destroy civilians in other countries. We can’t afford that and it has to end!” Malamud said. Others stated that the mandate in the health care bill being considered by Congress is a giveaway for corporate health insurance that does nothing to help people, many who can barely pay for the necessities in today’s dismal economic climate.

Brown Baggers from around the country, representing America’s working class, will be returning to their representatives’ offices on the third Wednesday of every month to make sure the voice of the people is heard loud and clear. Criscenzo told Davis’ staffer, “What just happened in Massachusetts is a clear wakeup call. We were promised change and we don’t see it happening. Start listening to the people or they will look for someone who will.”


snip

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/