So why exactly do we need to spend $416 billion on "defense"?

[Sandpiper]

In 2004, the United States already had a military budget that was larger than the next 6 nations combined, at $366 billion.

And yet, we've found it necessary to add another $50 billion to the war machine.

So, as of 2005, we'll be spending $1416.54 per citizen in this country on tanks, planes, bombs, guns, warships, missiles, etc.

*sigh*

Our military budget and military deployments around the world are the best evidence there is that the US is an empire.

[Big Kahuna]

1. Because we're assholes?

[maggrwaggr]

15. HA! Good answer!

That is probably the bottom line.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Because we don't want health coverage and tax-paid post secondary

education for every American? :eyes:

[gpandas]

3. we have a gap gap. n/t

[Parche]

4. military

So they can stop another Sept 11th type attack like they did 3years
ago.............wait they didnt stop anything, were they told not
to or something else

[Fovea]

5. It ain't cheap running

a global empire.
Ask Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, or Hitler.

[stevebreeze]

6. Only to feed the military industrial complex

Of what possible use is a "missile shield" that can't hit a missile when it is know to be coming? Who would launch a missile when e would obliterate any country a missile was tracked from?

What good are the stealth B2 bombers? We have only used them at high altitude to avoid flack. You can't take them out in the rain, they must be kept in climate controlled hangers and so are flown only from the US. One hour in the air results in 2 hours of service. What a bargain at $2 billion a piece!
I could ramble on but I won't.
We need to get a responsible person in charge.
:kick:

[teach1st]

7. You need that large of a military budget

It's important to have enough so that we can spend $2.6 billion on planes that don't meet specs.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x705211

[LiberalEsto]

8. defense spending

Why? Here's a few possible reasons.

Because we need to manufacture more meals for the military that rehydrate when they pee on em.

Because the Pentagon just blew billions on 50 C-130J planes that CAN'T BE FLOWN.

Because poor Halliburton isn't making enough in obscene profits.

[TrustingDog]

9. because the admin is so offensive?

[Bandit]

10. This is Amerika..don't ask questions that require logic

Have you not learned anything these last four years?

[readmylips]

11. We only need a couple of box cutters....

didn't the hijackers proved that.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

12. That's one thing about our government that burns me

up more than anything else, probably....the amount we spend on the defense budget.

It's just flat-out unnecessary. But they'll keep spending it and more so, under the premise of FEAR of being militarily WEAK.

Well, I have two things to say to that:

1. We could cut our defense budget by 15% and be able to fully fund a lot of programs (such as K-12 public education, health care, etc.) without even hurting defense.

2. I have to wonder how pissed off everyone else is at us that we feel the need to have such a huge arsenal when no one else is even close. What do we DO to the rest of the world to be so fearful??? Imagine that gun-stockpiling, wild-eyed looney in a cabin in the woods as a country and that's us.

[Old and In the Way]

13. You are exactly right!

"Imagine that gun-stockpiling, wild-eyed looney in a cabin in the woods as a country and that's us."

And we seem to be getting more paranoid by the day.

Personally, if Bush Republicans can break the Treasury by giving our future to the very rich as tax rebates, Kerry Democrats should restructure the military to reflect the security needs of this country....social security.

It will be the Republicans fault for their wreckless fiscal policy.

[maggrwaggr]

14. Because America has a little dick?

metaphorically speaking of course.

Why does anybody need one of those big-ass pickup trucks that's jacked up so high you need a ladder to climb into it?

Why does anybody need a big-ass assault rifle?

Why does anybody need a Hummer?

The answer is all the same.

Little. Dicks.

[stevebreeze]

16. Yup! it's testosterone based politics.

It's why gov mussel for brains called the Cal Dem's girly men.

[leesa]

17. Halliburton needs more dough for legal expenses.

[w4rma]

18. Because some very powerful folks want more power for themselves.

They are getting that power by war profiteering and by funneling tax money to their companies which funnel that money to them and they also want virtual control over the resources of various other countries (including the resources in this one).

[Mr_Spock]

19. 'Cause the 10 military transport planes flying over water country

are making a lot of people happy. I could not believe the number of hugh transports flying one after the other into the base. All I could think as I looked up each time was 1) dead soldiers 2) ching ching

[GHOSTDANCER]

20. It's the Circle of LIfe...Don't you know?? Haven't you heard??

It's in the Bible!!!! Duh?????

<>

[Warren DeMontague]

21. Same Reason We Need To Spend $50 Billion on the "War On Drugs"

It's a big gravy train for a lot of assholes. Period.

[CaTeacher]

22. this is so wrong.

that money should be spent on schools and to feed the hungry. And to fight AIDS.

There is no justification whatsoever for buying more military toys--we already have enough to kill everyone many times over. We have more than we (or anyone) could ever need to protect themselves.

Is enough EVER enough?

[Warren DeMontague]

23. Ask This Guy:

http://coursesa.matrix.msu.edu/~hst306/documents/indust.html

This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes.

[LSdemocrat]

24. The same reason we have every year Pinky. Try to TAKE OVER THE WORLD.