Defense Budget in 2009? ZERO Dollars, nothing!!!

[Nimrod2005]

Wouldn't this be a great message from our next president?

Message to the world and Americans is:

1) Save $400 Billion, we can spend domestically
2) We are NOT war mongering fools


And guess what? We will still be the strongest military in the world, BY FAR!!!

Recommend if you think it is a good idea.

[ret5hd]

1. huh? explain how this idea would work.

[Nimrod2005]

2. Our next president will propose we spend no money

on defense for the next year's budget.

[rockymountaindem]

3. Uh, how would we pay the troops and maintain the equipment we already have

It sounds like you should have spent at least a couple seconds thinking about this.

[bigscott]

4. that would leave

a lot of soldiers and their families with NO pay, no benefits and no way to support themselves. Not good

That would leave 15000+ soldiers injured in *'s war without the VA system to care for them. Not good

That would leave thousands of employees of companies like GD, lockheed, Boeing, Raytheon etc out of work - NOt good for them.

So unless you can figure out a way to pay for this stuff (military families and medical costs are moral obligations IMO, and not political bargaining chips)

[Nimrod2005]

5. Talking about not paying to build military stuff!!!

[bigscott]

7. that is nowhere

near 400 billion

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. A big part of military spending is on retirees.

Let 'em starve?

http://www.warresisters.org/piechart.htm

[midnight armadillo]

8. That would violate the Constitution

Quote: 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.

Zero military would no longer meet the 'common defence' section of the preamble in today's world.

[ticapnews]

9. And we can pay for Social Security with a bake sale!

We can eliminate foreign aid, too! It was a good harvest this fall from the money tree in the back yard so I'll pick up the tab for that line item.

[capitalistdemocrat]

10. Huh...?

What you got in that pipe?

Can I have some?

[newyawker99]

11. Hi capitalistdemocrat!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[DoYouEverWonder]

12. Even if we cut the budget in half

and spent $200 Billion of it on domestic needs, we could still pay the active and retired duty folks and all the DOMESTIC jobs that would be created would make up for the decreases in other areas.

[Hyernel]

13. Not a good idea.

We can cut it in half though.

More important will be to make a law regulating the profit that war materials manufacturers can make = 10%.

Take the profit motive out of the Military Industrial Complex, and business will dictate they find something else to do.

[VTMechEngr]

15. some of those MIC companies are experts in their fields

Why waste the knowledge and skill by blanking them out of business? Like it or Not, Millions of Americans work for the MIC. They may be suppliers of parts, nuts, Metal, Computer equipment, or the Big boys like General Dynamics, and NN, etc. People attack the big boys and forget that every Submarine, plane, tank or Aircraft carrier is built from millions of parts made all over this country. This industry keeps a significant portion of this country going. But beyond that, these companies are experts in what they do. Why waste that? You think the world would be a better place with all the lost jobs?

[Hyernel]

16. The MIC should be redirected...

Toward the task of establishing human colonies on the Moon and Mars.

Plenty of money in that.

[VTMechEngr]

14. Stupid Stupid Idea

Military Spending keeps millions of Americans in good paying jobs across this country. Warships, Submarines, Tanks, Humvees, Weapons, it keeps Americans working and these jobs are vital to national security, and since they often require clearances, are only open to Americans.

You'd put millions of Americans (many Democrats like myself) right outta work. Good thought ace, Way to sink the economy.

[Deja Q]

17. It could happen. After all, by then, we will be the USC:

United States of China.

Think about it. Our corporate leaders sleaze with Chinese leaders. They're not going to launch nuke war on us. They will team up and get rid of the rest of us. Offshoring is a good start for both sides...