The US needs to cut military spending, not social spending.

[raccoon]

The military industrial complex is like an addict. The more money an addict gets, the more they spend on their drug of choice. They will NEVER have enough money. That’s how the military industrial complex is.

What are some things we average US citizens can do about this?

(1) Write/call our Congresscritters.

Your thoughts?

[dkf]

1. Then we need to stay out of places like Libya.

It's crazy to think we can cut military spending while adding to the number of wars we are involved in.

[justiceischeap]

10. Clinton, Pappa Bush, Eisenhower all cut defense spending

I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting. We can afford to cut defense spending. Look at the F-35 Lightning II--The United States intends to buy a total of 2,443 aircraft for an estimated US$323 billion, making it the most expensive defense program ever. The United States Air Force (USAF) budget data in 2010, along with other sources, projects the F-35 to have a flyaway cost from US$89 million to US$200 million over the planned production of F-35s.<13><14><15><16> Cost estimates have risen to $382 billion for 2,443 aircraft, at an average of $156 million each. The rising program cost estimates have cast doubt on the actual number to be produced for the U.S. In January 2011, the F-35B variant was placed on "probation" for two years because of development issues. In February 2011, the Pentagon put a price of $207.6 million for each of the 32 aircraft to be acquired in FY2012, rising to $304.15 million ($9,732.8/32) if its share of RDT&E spending is included.<17><18>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II

It's plainly obvious that we can win wars with the aircraft we have now. So why, when we're in such dire straits economically would the Pentagon be allowed to continue on with this? I'm sure there are other areas in the defense budget that can be cut out too. Why is this less important than getting rid of the EPA or cutting out financial aid for low income families that can't afford to heat their homes in the winter.

Finally, Libya, thus far is not a "war" we are involved in. We are already out of Libya. Let's talk about our Empire building instead. We still have 50k soldiers in Germany (did we not already beat Hitler?), we have troops stationed in Korea (who never left after the Korean war). Why do we need these bases there? Why can't we instead negotiate terms with these countries, that if need be, we share their bases? We don't need the number of troops we have in Germany and Korea...

[dkf]

13. $608 million up to April 4 and counting.

The $608 million estimate shows a large drop from what the U.S. spent in the early days of the multinational operation that started March 19 — roughly $55 million a day in the first 10 days, then about $8.3 million a day in the seven that followed.

Still, very rough projections late last month estimated costs would decline even more than that as the U.S. handed lead of the operation to NATO. The alliance also is to conduct most of the bombing missions. Officials didn't explain what caused the higher-than-expected rate of spending. It's possible at least part is due to the fact that the full transition to NATO went a little slower than expected.

http://articles.sfgate.com/2011-04-11/news/29409134_1_costs-operation-million-estimate

[msongs]

2. support candidates who will ACTUALLY impose military cuts instead of human values cuts nt

[fascisthunter]

4. well said!

:thumbsup:

[fascisthunter]

3. but the millionaires in the Military Industrial COmplex need more money!!!!!!

[ladjf]

5. Most definitely! nt

[BlueJac]

6. ya think?

[raccoon]

7. Yeah, but other than bitch about it here on DU and in RL, what can we do? nt

[WatsonT]

9. Vote against politicians who support pointless military adventures

that don't protect our borders.

[WatsonT]

8. Common knowledge for some time now

translating common sense in to actual policies is apparently pretty difficult.

[Annata4Peace]

11. I'd like to see

One overseas base closed per month until our foreign footprint is barely noticeable.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

12. WE HAVE A MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

IT MUST BE DISSOLVED.