Do we really need a trillion dollar a year military

[rickc]

to defeat the russians?

Seems all they have is their nuclear weapons. The entire western world wants no part of a nuclear exchange with Russia.

so is all this conventional military really kind of unnecessary?

 

[ttwtt78640]

to defeat the russians?

Seems all they have is their nuclear weapons. The entire western world wants no part of a nuclear exchange with Russia.

so is all this conventional military really kind of unnecessary?

DoD (and, of course, MIC) spending is a large part of domestic federal spending in many states - about 2.8% of GDP and is over 10% of all federal spending. As with most federal spending, care is taken to spread it around to ensure that many states’ economies remain dependent on keeping that “free” money flowing.

The analysis of fiscal year 2020 data, which runs from Oct. 1, 2019, until Sept. 30, 2020, broke down DOD spending in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Over the fiscal year, DOD spent $593.9 billion, the equivalent of 2.8 percent of America’s gross domestic product. Contracts accounted for $439 billion while DOD payroll accounted for about $155 billion.

Report: Texas and Virginia Top DOD Spending by State; Texas and California Lead for Air Force | Air & Space Forces Magazine

Texas and Virginia were America’s top recipients of defense spending in fiscal 2020 at $83 billion and $64.3 billion, respectively.

www.airforcemag.com

A more complete state by state breakdown of military spending can be found in the following link:

https://oldcc.gov/sites/default/files/defense-spending-rpts/OLDCC_DSBS_FY2020_FINAL_WEB.pdf

 

[TheParser]

Well, we are big boys and girls.

We realize that one reason for the huge budget is that it creates a lot of jobs for Americans.

I believe that President Eisenhower warned us about the military-industrial complex.

 

[ttwtt78640]

Well, we are big boys and girls.

We realize that one reason for the huge budget is that it creates a lot of jobs for Americans.

I believe that President Eisenhower warned us about the military-industrial complex.

Yep, and because it’s a single-payer system, carefully managed by our congress critters, it’s very cost efficient.

 

[American]

to defeat the russians?

Seems all they have is their nuclear weapons. The entire western world wants no part of a nuclear exchange with Russia.

so is all this conventional military really kind of unnecessary?

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The history of the defense budget shows it was a much larger percentage of the national budget decades ago, and actually peaked during WWII. It's been displaced by welfare programs as a percentage of the budget.

 

[ttwtt78640]

The history of the defense budget shows it was a much larger percentage of the national budget decades ago, and actually peaked during WWII. It's been displaced by welfare programs as a percentage of the budget.

Yep, and (in 2020) spent $154.6B for 1.33M DoD active duty personnel. According to my calculator, that comes out to an average of $116,240/person.

 

[Crovax]

I believe that President Eisenhower warned us about the military-industrial complex.

And we have heeded his warning, defense spending is 1/3 of what it was when he made that speech

 

[American]

Yep, and (in 2020) spent $154.6B for 1.33M DoD active duty personnel. According to my calculator, that comes out to an average of $116,240/person.

Sounds cheap, considering pay, food and housing.

 

[American]

Yep, and because it’s a single-payer system, carefully managed by our congress critters, it’s very cost efficient.

I wish it were true, but under the Constitution it's one of the few inherently government mandated duties.

 

[American]

As can be seen, we are not unreasonable.

 

[Mycroft]

to defeat the russians?

Seems all they have is their nuclear weapons. The entire western world wants no part of a nuclear exchange with Russia.

so is all this conventional military really kind of unnecessary?

I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. "to defeat the russians"

Are you saying we are at war with Russia and you want us to defeat them? Or, are you saying you WANT us to be at war with Russia?

As far as I know we are NOT at war with Russia, though I know there are some war mongers out there who think we should be.

 

[ttwtt78640]

View attachment 67384488

As can be seen, we are not unreasonable.

That depends on how these international ‘national defense’ costs are determined. In the USA, DoD is separated from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Homeland Security. Many other nations don’t have that separation and include spending on those other ‘national defense’ functions.

 

[Nomad4Ever]

As can be seen, we are not unreasonable.

Well the thing is we have 30% of all global wealth, which is why out military is so big even though it isn't that different from other country's as a % of our GDP.

Regardless, I think the question in OP was really putting into question if we really need that large of a military considering how weak the Russia military appears to be. We still spend a significant amount more than China to. It is my personal opinion we could reduce the size of our military significantly and retain the same or better defensive capabilities by keeping money in R&D and shifting our focus to cyber. We don't need to maintain a military base in half the world's countries.

 

[American]

Well the thing is we have 30% of all global wealth, which is why out military is so big even though it isn't that different from other country's as a % of our GDP.

Regardless, I think the question in OP was really putting into question if we really need that large of a military considering how weak the Russia military appears to be. We still spend a significant amount more than China to. It is my personal opinion we could reduce the size of our military significantly and retain the same or better defensive capabilities by keeping money in R&D and shifting our focus to cyber. We don't need to maintain a military base in half the world's countries.

You say that while China is building bases all over the southeast pacific rim. Sorry, but we need a bigger Navy actually.

 

[Fishking]

DoD (and, of course, MIC) spending is a large part of domestic federal spending in many states - about 2.8% of GDP and is over 10% of all federal spending. As with most federal spending, care is taken to spread it around to ensure that many states’ economies remain dependent on keeping that “free” money flowing.

Report: Texas and Virginia Top DOD Spending by State; Texas and California Lead for Air Force | Air & Space Forces Magazine

Texas and Virginia were America’s top recipients of defense spending in fiscal 2020 at $83 billion and $64.3 billion, respectively.

www.airforcemag.com

A more complete state by state breakdown of military spending can be found in the following link:

https://oldcc.gov/sites/default/files/defense-spending-rpts/OLDCC_DSBS_FY2020_FINAL_WEB.pdf

Here's an easy solution to reduce a lot of costs that not only won't do much negative to our economy but will be a net gain. Close down most foreign bases and stop interventionism.

Those foreign bases take money out of our pockets and dumps them into other government's pockets. Bring those personnel, facilities, and equipment back to the US and expand our bases here to fit them. Then all that money will be spent here instead.

 

[Fishking]

You say that while China is building bases all over the southeast pacific rim. Sorry, but we need a bigger Navy actually.

The Navy is on the verge of becoming obsolete.

 

[Nomad4Ever]

You say that while China is building bases all over the southeast pacific rim. Sorry, but we need a bigger Navy actually.

China's navy wouldn't make it within 500 miles of the US shore lmao.

 

[Questerr]

China's navy wouldn't make it within 500 miles of the US shore lmao.

Nor would they want to.

 

[ttwtt78640]

Here's an easy solution to reduce a lot of costs that not only won't do much negative to our economy but will be a net gain. Close down most foreign bases and stop interventionism.

Those foreign bases take money out of our pockets and dumps them into other government's pockets. Bring those personnel, facilities, and equipment back to the US and expand our bases here to fit them. Then all that money will be spent here instead.

That assumes that the DoD mission is limited to defending the US. Clearly that is not the case.

 

[ttwtt78640]

You say that while China is building bases all over the southeast pacific rim. Sorry, but we need a bigger Navy actually.

Are you implying that is with the intent to attack the US?

 

[LetsGoBrandon]

to defeat the russians?

Seems all they have is their nuclear weapons. The entire western world wants no part of a nuclear exchange with Russia.

so is all this conventional military really kind of unnecessary?

Yes!

 

[vegas giants]

You say that while China is building bases all over the southeast pacific rim. Sorry, but we need a bigger Navy actually.

What? How many bases do you think china has outside of China?

 

[American]

What? How many bases do you think china has outside of China?

You know we have too many complainers around here that appear to not have educated themselves at all. I realize the many leftwingers would have us eliminate our military, and disarm all citizens, in some delusional attempt to seems more friendly to the world and achieve their socialist utopia. But the outcome would not in any way look like their fantasy.

China quietly developing military bases in Pacific islands

After long being a continental power, China in the 21st century has started to follow an ambitious maritime expansion course, seeking to bolster its power-projection capabilities, especially in North Asia, South-east Asia, the South-west Pacific and the South Pacific.

economictimes.indiatimes.com

Beijing Eyes New Military Bases Across the Indo-Pacific

Tanzania, Cambodia, and the UAE are on China’s wish list—and now Kiribati, within striking distance of Hawaii.

foreignpolicy.com

China Talks for South Pacific Security Pact Alarm Australia

Australian and New Zealand ministers have expressed concern about a draft security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands that could give the nation’s warships a safe harbor 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) from the Australian coast.

www.bloomberg.com

 

[vegas giants]

You know we have too many complainers around here that appear to not have educated themselves at all. I realize the many leftwingers would have us eliminate our military, and disarm all citizens, in some delusional attempt to seems more friendly to the world and achieve their socialist utopia. But the outcome would not in any way look like their fantasy.

China quietly developing military bases in Pacific islands

After long being a continental power, China in the 21st century has started to follow an ambitious maritime expansion course, seeking to bolster its power-projection capabilities, especially in North Asia, South-east Asia, the South-west Pacific and the South Pacific.

economictimes.indiatimes.com

Beijing Eyes New Military Bases Across the Indo-Pacific

Tanzania, Cambodia, and the UAE are on China’s wish list—and now Kiribati, within striking distance of Hawaii.

foreignpolicy.com

China Talks for South Pacific Security Pact Alarm Australia

Australian and New Zealand ministers have expressed concern about a draft security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands that could give the nation’s warships a safe harbor 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) from the Australian coast.

www.bloomberg.com

Give me the current total


Do you even know?

The United States maintains nearly 800 military bases in more than 70 countries and territories despite recently closing hundreds of bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, but China so far has only one base in Djibouti.

 

[Fishking]

That assumes that the DoD mission is limited to defending the US. Clearly that is not the case.

I mean....that IS their mission. It's the US military and it's job is to protect the US. It was never supposed to be Team Ameica World Police. It's been vastly misappropriated and often times incoherent and self-destructive.