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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFine with me. House votes to nix military bands at dinners, dances
WASHINGTON The next base Christmas party might not feature any active-duty flutists or tuba players.
The House on Thursday passed legislation sponsored by former A-10 pilot Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., that bars the military from using its many troop bands to entertain at dinners, dances and social events.
The bill limits performances to formal military ceremonies and funeral honors.
It is the latest attempt to cut back the roughly $500 million that the Defense Department spends annually on bands, which date back to the birth of the countrys armed forces but have recently run into criticism as Congress wrangles with tight budgets.
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http://okinawa.stripes.com/news/house-votes-nix-military-bands-dinners-dances
JHB
(37,158 posts)...at about double the price.
cali
(114,904 posts)JHB
(37,158 posts)If it's too high, tears will help get rid of some of the excess.
Otherwise, crazed laughter.
Else You Are Mad
(3,040 posts)Each band member will be making $100,000 or more a year and the final cost will be MUCH higher than $500 million... But we all know the GOP is more concerned about privatizing everything than ACTUALLY saving money or any reduction in spending.
JHB
(37,158 posts)...though the contract holder will bill the government for that amount. The musicians are mere subcontractors.
Else You Are Mad
(3,040 posts)Tend to make a good amount of money. I read somewhere the contractors in Iraq were making $100,000 or more.
JHB
(37,158 posts)Members of a contractor band would make more than their service pay, but the real money would still go to the overall contractor.
AgadorSparticus
(7,963 posts)Follow the money and you'll find that this fraud is connected to musicians. Is Big Music a thing?
What's the move going to save? A few million dollars. How about the f35 or gr long range standoff weapon. Those two programs alone are likely to run to more then 60 billion over their lifetimes.
As with airport security, this is simply theater.
CincyDem
(6,350 posts)And when asked to list all of the actions she took to save money for the country, at the top of her list will be:
"I replaced the live band with a DJ"
Yeah - that'll make a dent.
AwakeAtLast
(14,124 posts)Sports? Never.
CBGLuthier
(12,723 posts)Oh well, 'merica gots its priorities.
3catwoman3
(23,971 posts)...right!
monmouth4
(9,694 posts)dmr
(28,347 posts)Argh ....
Maybe I lack understanding of this issue, but I would imagine it would be quite an honor to perform before their President - the Commander & Chief - and his/her guests.
And, why shouldn't the White House utilize, and honor a band or chorale that is at his/her disposal.
If the Republicans really wanted to save money, then they need to do away with shit like the 50-some votes to disband the ACA, cut out the multiple & useless investigations that have repeatedly been determined as non-issues - year after year after year ....
They want to save money, then they need to do their fucking job, and work on something that will benefit American society.
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Now how about mandating every federal building have solar panels and extending the service life of every vehicle the government buys by two years, barring accidents and catastrophic failures.
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)mrmpa
(4,033 posts)anyway, due to the lack of funding for the arts in public schools.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)are generally not paid per service. Each musician has an annual salary and benefits, the same as all service members do.
tavernier
(12,376 posts)What craziness is this? Poor babies must be exhausted!!
Will wonders never cease! Next you'll tell us they haven't voted themselves a raise for next year.
AwakeAtLast
(14,124 posts)To rest up.