Military Spending Part #1

Conservatives in general do not like government spending, with the great exception being Law & Order items like Defence and the Police. In Canada, Harper went to great pains to point out that he increased Defence spending, as well as building more prisons despite a decreasing crime rate.

The USA is approaching what they call the Fiscal Cliff, whereby automatic spending cuts and tax increases will take effect on Jan. 1, 2013 if Congress fails to reach a deal with the White House on agreed spending & tax measures. Included in the cuts will be massive military spending decreases.

Let's look at the US military spending. They spend nearly $700 Billion on defence annually. Nearly 6 times more than number #2 China and 10 times that of former adversary Russia. About 30 times that of Canada. More than the next 10 countries combined and 40% of the world's total military spending. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost over $3 trillion to date.

I hear from Conservatives that Canada relies on the USA to defend our borders. They spend 3 times per capita ,their share of defence costs and we are a freeloader hiding behind US military might. Well exactly who is threatening Canada's borders? What nations are planning to attack? Islamic terrorists? Are nuclear submarines a deterrent to terrorists? Ballistic missiles? By all means increase spending on spy agencies and tactical special ops forces, but do we need to feed the military industrial complex that consumes so much of US resources?

The Cold War is over, Russia is spending 1/10 of US budget on the military. China 1/6th. The terrorists? Not likely 1/1000th.

Targeted military expenditures based on the current and expected near future threats, is the way to go. In the USA it wont happen as the military industrial complex feeds off itself. They feed off of fear and tap into fanatical patriotism and ironically so called Freedom. Freedom won and kept at the end of an ICBM.

In America the conservatives want a powerful war machine, but do not want to raise taxes to pay for it. The Right are happy to cut into social services to pay for the military. Despite the end of the Cold War they wont cotton to cut military spending to fight terrorists, with homemade bombs and IED's. By all means purchase personnel carriers that can withstand IED's, but cut back on the subs and foreign bases.  

Got to laugh at the Right who believe that they alone are patriotic to the nation. The rest of us are terrorist hugging, immigrant loving pacifists that refuse to defend freedom. That is why the US military is filled with Hispanic and Black soldiers, while Romney's 6 military aged boys took a pass on serving their country in a time of war. As per usual the underclass fight the rich man's wars. The Republicans voted several times to cut VA spending on disabled war vets. It happened in Canada as well until the Cons were called out on it.

When I have the time I'm going to set out again, a budget to balance Canada's finances. It will be a document that makes sense and is fair, balanced and would save taxpayers $Billions, while building subways and transportation corridors. No politician has the mettle, or stones to implement my plan.

I have more to say on foreign wars, protecting our borders and military expenditures. Part #2 to come. Think I'm US bashing? BS! I work for a US company, note my BBQ below, my boat and even my brand new winter coat, were all made in the USA. I buy North American when I can.