Posted on 02/03/2009 5:37:02 PM PST by Kaslin
Spending: Reports that President Obama was imposing mandatory cuts on defense spending have been proved false. He has actually proposed a modest increase. That is good, but is it enough to meet current and future threats?
In fact, as Congressional Quarterly reports, the Obama administration has given the Pentagon a $527 billion limit for nonwar spending, up 8% from the $487.7 billion allocated for fiscal 2009.
The "cut" is arrived at by comparing the $527 billion proposed with a $584 billion draft fiscal 2010 budget request compiled by the Joint Chiefs last fall. The $527 billion actually matches what the Bush administration estimated last year for defense in 2010.
The Joint Chiefs' number represents a wish list, and we are not quarreling with their analysis of what's needed to rebuild a depleted military and meet rising threats from a resurgent Russia and an ambitious China.
But fair is fair, and to call a rise in actual spending that is less than proposed spending a "cut" is an old Washington game that's unfair no matter who plays it. An increase in actual spending is an increase and an increase above the rate of inflation is never a cut, whether it be under Bush or Obama.
(Excerpt) Read more at ibdeditorials.com ...
Increase for his “Civilian Military Corps”...to watch for descent.
Ok, thanks Fox. Now I look stupid for repeating news I assumed you had correctly.
Robert Kagan of the Washington Post also mistakenly said defense budget was cut this year: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/02/AR2009020202618.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.