The key point is that our troops are stretch thin because they are out in other countries fighting wars that don't even involve the US. Not to mention, we are borrowing gobs of money from foreign countries to help pay for it. And we still can't even afford to issue out enough flack jackets and armored vehicles. This is a time where we need to seriously rethink where our money is going.

Think of this as insurance that we can't afford. We need a less expensive insurance policy. And seeing that no enemy's conventional military has stepped on US soil since WWII, I think we'll be OK. No size of army/navy personnel is going to deter a suicidal terrorist group, so deterrence by presence is a waste of money.

I'm all for having a strong military. And it is strong, not 1980's strong, but strong. We're not in the cold war anymore and our only immediate threat is terrorism which can't be fought in any any conventional battle, so it makes sense to hold off on funding.

And just in case I come of as some hippie liberal which I can understand after reading some of my own posts. I'm not. I spent 6 years in the Navy operating and maintaning the CIWS you see in my avatar. I have a lot of love for my country, but I don't like see our guys out there trying to turn Iraq into America Part 2 and getting killed in the process. I think it's time we start working on our countries own problems which are plenty.

 

I'm for the reduction of nukes, but I strongly feel we need troops at home, and in decent numbers.

 

Can't agree with this post any more.....

Well said...

I hate the fact that when you agree with a policy like this people on the other side of the fence label you with the hippie liberal america hating tag.....F*ckin hate that......I am a pro gun, pro-choice moderate that has voted both sides of the coin in the last 8 years. I base my vote on issues not party lines and television ads and I hate being branded by ignorant a**holes.

/rant off

Sorry had to get that off my chest... I feel better...

 

^^^

Yes, I hate partisan politics!!!

 

Also what makes me mad is people sticking things where they don't belong. We get this crazy spending for pet projects in the larger bills that will pass so this way they can get funding. And then they take it from teh military because it is spending too much on a battle that we sent them to. But we have enough money to pay 3X the amount for contractors that are taking jobs from trained men and women in those areas. I will be curious to see what will happen when certain people are out of office and how the speding changes at that point.

 

That will be interesting although if I were you I wouldn't expect too much. I just think washington politics are so ingrained at this point that that sort of thing will continue to happen.

I do honestly believe though that regardless of who gets elected Obama or McCain the USA is gonna be so much better off.

 

I actually was responsible for both Peacekeeper and Minuteman nukes back in the day. And let me tell you; it sucks providing security or controlling forces to secure them. So, if he does disarm them, to me it sounds like a good deal. But, not having the air power, would totally jeopardize our security.