Ok, I asked....

Quote Originally Posted by cheeseburger
Just remember, you asked.

Our millitary budget is freaking huge. Humungous. Overblown. Its the biggest in the world, both in terms of actual dollars and by percent of GDP.

In 2004, it was 437.111 Billion. Now im not saying we should cut it in half - just realize that 1 percent, 1 little percent of this is about 4 billion. Thats huge. You could take 1 hundredth of a percent and still have 40 million to throw around.
Build a couple less fighter jets, maybe think before you invade a country for no reason. Theres little justification for that big of a number, and you could do a lot if you put some of that money to good use.
I kind of agree with you, and yet at the same time, I don't. I will explain.

While I do agree with you about invading countries we have no business in dealing with. I will explain why I feel military budget spending is an important gear in the cog of the American economy

The military budget of the USA, as stupid as this seems does affect American economy, in a positive manner. Why do you suppose the local politicians fight so vehemently to keep a base the government purposes closing? I agree we could put the monies to better use, however. There are other areas of spending I feel would be better redirected than cutting the budget of the military.

For instance, lets say we reduce the amount of money we contribute to foreign aid. How about the monies we use to supplement the economies of emerging democracies in countries we have zero connection with. We could also reduce the amount of money we spend in medical costs if we were to restructure the health care system. I know every doctor I have been to explains their costs they charge due to the enormous amounts of medical insurance they must pay.

We as a country could restructure many thing in the united states. Education I believe would benefit the most if we were to redirect that money in that direction. There is a thread on that as well.

So cutting the budget of the military, while it seems so simple, could also hurt the local economies of the cities that support the military.

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