Posted on 06/17/2004 5:56:59 PM PDT by Libloather
The Army was cut back under the 'toons to the point where many support activities did not exist outside of the Reserves or the Guard.
Blaming Clinton alone on that ignores the fact that he had a GOP congress for 6 of his 8 years. As we see here, Congress can increase the size of Army or reduce the shrinkage. Yet they didn't. Instead senators like Trent Lott viewed the Defense budget as a pork barrel for Pascagoula. So they're all to blame.
And given how badly our troops are streached now, why the hell is Bush disagreeing with this?
"why the hell is Bush disagreeing with this?"
Congress tends to believe the testimony from the big guys at the Department of Defense when they explain the budget. Under Clinton, his DoD was testifying that the forces were no longer needed, and we were reaping the Cold War Dividend that we earned by winning the Cold War. Congress-critters saw $$ floating before their eyes, and were willing to buy that line. General officers could not testify against Administration policy before Congress; and if they did, would not last long . . .
Similar now, I would guess. The DoD budget should inform the White House and Congress what is needed to fulfill the missions and requirements placed upon the Armed Forces. Bush has said more than once, he will give the commanders what they need to do the job; they only have to ask . . .
See above. General officers can not truly ask for something against DoD policy, or they will be replaced. PLUS there is this prevailing CAN DO attitude and DO MORE WITH LESS philosophy that makes them seem heroic if they suck it down, rather than fight for increases.
I have read that there is a lot of opposition in the Pentagon to Rumsfeld's policies, but the opponents can not really speak out. Loyalty to the chain of command, etc.
SO I think it IS time for Congress to act and give the DoD more than the Administration asked for. It would not by any means be the first time. The DoD wonks who allocate resources in the bowels of the Pentagon will be able to apply forces/$ to the benefit of the stretched-thin Army --
Good time to call our Senators and reinforce their decision . . .
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