- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Shrink the military? Can right and left agree on this?
Posted on 1/24/14 at 8:16 pm
Posted on 1/24/14 at 8:16 pm
I am life long Republican, 56 years old. Since communism fell from its own weight, the world has changed a lot.
Since we borrow 40% of every dollar we spend, does it make since to have troops
In Japan, Germany, South Korea?
Are we really gonna go to war over 70 year old treaties for countries that don't pay for their own defense?
Since we borrow 40% of every dollar we spend, does it make since to have troops
In Japan, Germany, South Korea?
Are we really gonna go to war over 70 year old treaties for countries that don't pay for their own defense?
20
Posted on 1/24/14 at 8:19 pm to zeebo
Shrink the civilian bureaucracy of the military and I agree.
Posted on 1/24/14 at 8:21 pm to zeebo
Yes, but we are bound by treaty in South Korea due to the armistice. If we break that treaty, the north will invade the south and one of the world's most economically productive democracies will be completely annihilated and millions of lives will be lost.
I agree about pulling out of Germany.
I'm conflicted about Japan due to their cultural history and have reservations about allowing them to start rebuilding their military in earnest.
As for Germany, Iraq, Kuwait, Djibouti, Afghanistan, and Italy, there's really no reason for us to be there and we should leave.
We must keep the 5th Fleet in Bahrain, however, due to its ability to keep trading lanes open and project force throughout the entire region.
As much as I'm in favor of reducing our presence of "boots on the ground", I'm actually in favor of expanding our navy and its force projection capabilities.
I agree about pulling out of Germany.
I'm conflicted about Japan due to their cultural history and have reservations about allowing them to start rebuilding their military in earnest.
As for Germany, Iraq, Kuwait, Djibouti, Afghanistan, and Italy, there's really no reason for us to be there and we should leave.
We must keep the 5th Fleet in Bahrain, however, due to its ability to keep trading lanes open and project force throughout the entire region.
As much as I'm in favor of reducing our presence of "boots on the ground", I'm actually in favor of expanding our navy and its force projection capabilities.
This post was edited on 1/24/14 at 8:22 pm
Posted on 1/24/14 at 8:24 pm to zeebo
It's an interesting question. For most of our nation's history, the military has been astonishingly small, the idea has been that we can build up quickly if needed and this worked out well during WW2.
Since that war we have been basically the world's police and while that certainly has benefits I'm not convinced it is worthwhile. I could be mistaken, but that debate is something that takes place in more scholarly places than TD.
Since that war we have been basically the world's police and while that certainly has benefits I'm not convinced it is worthwhile. I could be mistaken, but that debate is something that takes place in more scholarly places than TD.
Posted on 1/24/14 at 8:30 pm to zeebo
quote:
Shrink the military? Can right and left agree on this?
I don't think that either side's establishment wants to do this. Pubs like the money being taken from taxpayers and given to companies like Haliburton/Lockheed/Northrop. Dems like having government jobs (look at Virginia going blue). Both sides want to convince Joe and Jill America that impoverished brown people thousands of miles away are a massive danger to us.
Posted on 1/24/14 at 8:39 pm to zeebo
2 dollars in social for every one in defense and I am on board but that will never happen
Posted on 1/24/14 at 8:50 pm to zeebo
Yes. Not just arbitrarily, but abroad.
Posted on 1/24/14 at 8:55 pm to zeebo
Defense spending needs to be cut 40-45%.
It's so fricking bloated we need to take the trough away from the fat war pigs in the military industrial complex.
It's so fricking bloated we need to take the trough away from the fat war pigs in the military industrial complex.
This post was edited on 1/24/14 at 8:56 pm
Posted on 1/24/14 at 8:56 pm to zeebo
The military is being shrunk substantially, large personnel cuts are in progress. Carriers, Brigades, Air Wings are all being eliminated.
Posted on 1/24/14 at 9:17 pm to zeebo
I say bring home the troops and put them on the border. Both sides should be happy right? 
Posted on 1/24/14 at 9:37 pm to zeebo
I think the military industrial complex needs to be shrunk. I think we need to get out of the middle east. It's a cesspool and a money pit to stay over there. We can continue espionage of terrorists groups to prevent attacks but no reason to interfere with their Governments and take sides in civil wars.
I don't have a problem with keeping an eye on Japan, Germany, etc. Don't be naive and think that for one second those countries wouldn't build back up and try again if we allowed it to happen. The mindset is still prevalent over there
I don't have a problem with keeping an eye on Japan, Germany, etc. Don't be naive and think that for one second those countries wouldn't build back up and try again if we allowed it to happen. The mindset is still prevalent over there
Posted on 1/24/14 at 9:42 pm to zeebo
frick ever letting the Japanese have their own military again.
Posted on 1/24/14 at 9:47 pm to zeebo
I can assure you that you couldn't get half the right to agree with this.
Posted on 1/24/14 at 10:39 pm to zeebo
Is there still a legit threat to America?
Operations in OEF/OIF under covered plots, money trails, and active terrorist cells to perform numerous attacks on American soil. If a small military presence in Kuwait and North Africa can still prevent future attacks, politicians need to cut the DA Civilian force.
If a military presence in the Middle East and North Africa does no good what so ever and GWOT will officially end at the end of this year, then yes, downsizing must occur like at the end of every other previous war the U.S. has ended.
As a Combat Vet, I'd hate to see us lose ground we'll just have to go retake in 5-10 years...
Operations in OEF/OIF under covered plots, money trails, and active terrorist cells to perform numerous attacks on American soil. If a small military presence in Kuwait and North Africa can still prevent future attacks, politicians need to cut the DA Civilian force.
If a military presence in the Middle East and North Africa does no good what so ever and GWOT will officially end at the end of this year, then yes, downsizing must occur like at the end of every other previous war the U.S. has ended.
As a Combat Vet, I'd hate to see us lose ground we'll just have to go retake in 5-10 years...
Posted on 1/24/14 at 11:20 pm to zeebo
The collective of people who thrive on DoD contracts are very powerful.
Posted on 1/25/14 at 1:15 am to zeebo
Saw an article the other day about how future Army combat brigades will need a third less manpower, due to robots and unmanned vehicles.
Posted on 1/25/14 at 2:15 am to zeebo
(no message)
This post was edited on 1/27/14 at 12:41 am
Posted on 1/25/14 at 12:50 pm to zeebo
I can agree to that if other areas of federal spending are cut as well.......like maybe entitlements 
Posted on 1/25/14 at 4:25 pm to zeebo
quote:
Shrink the military? Can right and left agree on this?
Of course we could agree. Unfortunately, when there is any discussion of budget cuts, whoever is in danger of losing out simply starts threatening to slash vital parts of their operation instead of trying cutting excess spending or increasing efficiency. Then, of course, nothing happens and we're back to square one.
Posted on 1/26/14 at 10:38 am to zeebo
quote:Does this mean buy them all shrinks so they won't commit suicide as much?
Shrink the military?
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News