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'Leaner' Military Begins With Gutting Defense Budget
IBD Editorials ^ | January 5, 2012 | Editor

Posted on 01/05/2012 5:57:24 PM PST by Kaslin

Defense: The administration announces a leaner version of our military involving the cutting of tens of thousands of ground troops as a leading defense contractor closes a major plant due to budget cuts.

In an unusual appearance at the Pentagon on Thursday, President Obama laid out his plans for a "leaner" military based on the need "to renew our economic strength here at home, which is the foundation of our strength in the world."

In other words, failed domestic policies require us to cut our military in a dangerous world.

Obama insisted that even after the currently budgeted $460 billion in defense cuts over the next decade, only the rate of growth has been slowed and "the defense budget will still be larger than it was toward the end of the Bush administration."

In nominal terms, perhaps, but the threats will grow larger and the weapons needs more sophisticated and expensive.

Leaner is the operative word. Pentagon officials have confirmed to Reuters that the strategic review as a result of the cuts will lead to a 10%-15% decline in Army and Marine Corps numbers over the next decade, translating to tens of thousands of troops.

"When some Army brigades start coming out of Afghanistan, they will basically disappear," one official said.

We understand that missions end and requirements change. The war in Iraq is over and Afghanistan will soon be. There is no need to keep a heavy presence in Europe.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.investors.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: appeasement; army; bhofascism; bhotreason; carter2; commondefense; defense; disarmament; ibd; ibddefense; impeach; military; nobama2012; obama; obamagutsmilitary; obamalateral; obamunism; surrender; treason
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1 posted on 01/05/2012 5:57:26 PM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

If history is a guide, we can’t really have a world war until America disarms.


2 posted on 01/05/2012 5:59:57 PM PST by null and void (Day 1080 of America's ObamaVacation from reality [Heroes aren't made, Frank, they're cornered...])
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To: Kaslin

Obama is a Marxist traitor who thinks the U.S. is to blame for the world’s ills. Unilateral disarmament, Red Chinese hegemony, and pandemic Islamism are Hussein’s goals. The 2012 election is the most important since 1860.


3 posted on 01/05/2012 6:03:33 PM PST by twister881
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To: Kaslin

Meanwhile, plans for giving American missile secrets to Moscow are moving forward without any visable opposition.


4 posted on 01/05/2012 6:12:13 PM PST by Captain7seas (FIRE JANE LUBCHENCO FROM NOAA)
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To: Kaslin

5 posted on 01/05/2012 6:17:16 PM PST by KantianBurke (Where was the Tea Party when Dubya was spending like a drunken sailor?)
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To: Kaslin

The military will be gutted until all red-blooded, America-loving patriots are forced out. At the same time, those with a different agenda will be encouraged to enlist. When the liberals get the right kind of people in a military that would willingly turn on its own citizens, there will be funding like no tomorrow. Wait and see.


6 posted on 01/05/2012 6:18:01 PM PST by informavoracious
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To: Kaslin
...his plans for a "leaner" military based on the need "to renew our economic strength here at home...

In other words, hussein needs more $$$ to blow on his socialistic programs and agenda. He is willing to directly weaken the US and he will cost American lives.

7 posted on 01/05/2012 6:20:28 PM PST by ThunderSleeps (Stop obama now! Stop the hussein - insane agenda!)
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To: Kaslin

Just another reason to Impeach the Coward in Chief Obama.


8 posted on 01/05/2012 6:32:22 PM PST by Graewoulf (( obama"care" violates the 1890 Sherman Anti-Trust Law, AND is illegal by the U.S. Constitution.))
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To: ThunderSleeps

Haven’t you heard? Unemployment, food stamps, and welfare are the best forms of stimulus?


9 posted on 01/05/2012 6:33:12 PM PST by rbg81
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To: null and void

“America” disarms....as INDIVIDUAL AMERICANS arm up!


10 posted on 01/05/2012 6:40:13 PM PST by goodnesswins (Adversity makes us bitter or better.)
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To: Kaslin

The closing paragraph of the IBD editorial should be the basis for the conversation going forward. Defense is a constitutional requirement that can’t be ignored if America is to survive. Financial challenges have to be met in other budget areas without sacrificing national security.


11 posted on 01/05/2012 6:46:13 PM PST by T-Bird45 (It feels like the seventies, and it shouldn't.)
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To: Kaslin
If it a way to destroy the USA he spins it, trying to make it seem plausible. The spin is getting so transparent you would have to be stark raving blind to not see through it.
12 posted on 01/05/2012 7:03:35 PM PST by Bellflower
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To: Kaslin

Cutting the Army, Navy and Marines, will mean more pressure placed on reserves.

One would have to be nuts to join the reserves.


13 posted on 01/05/2012 7:12:17 PM PST by Venturer
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To: Kaslin
DC is dumb. While they're still trying to figure out why arms sales were so strong last year those who knew (or had a general idea) that this would come along are oiling up their new toys, smiling all the time.
We don't need a standing army, just as the Founding Fathers outlined in the Constitution.
14 posted on 01/05/2012 7:23:44 PM PST by philman_36 (Pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty, and supped with infamy. Benjamin Franklin)
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To: null and void

Absolutely correct...we learn nothing from history and our alleged constitutional professor President has no grasp of it. Unified Europe under the euro is an illusion now as much as it was under the Caesars. Now with Europe facing economic implosion, chaos will once again rear its ugly head on the continent. Ask yourselves, who is best positioned to profit from a fractured Europe? Three guesses for a quarter....Once again America will be called upon to rescue Europe...


15 posted on 01/05/2012 7:24:44 PM PST by Crapgame (What should be taught in our schools? American Exceptionalism, not cultural Marxism...)
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To: Kaslin
We don't need a standing army, just as the Founding Fathers outlined in the Constitution.

For further clarification before somebody says something ignorant...
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 13 To provide and maintain a Navy;

The Marines are all that's needed, for obvious reasons.
Semper Fi and Anchors Aweigh.

16 posted on 01/05/2012 7:32:20 PM PST by philman_36 (Pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty, and supped with infamy. Benjamin Franklin)
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To: Kaslin; All
I want to take a slightly different approach here. There is no doubt that Obama IS gutting the military, and our ability to respond, by aiming cuts to reduce the strength of the Army and Marines.

HOWEVER, that does NOT deny the fact that the military establishment, like any other government entity, is bloated and wasteful to a certain extent. Anyone who has ever served in the armed forces can attest to that. Does anyone doubt that the military could achieve an across the board savings of anywheres from 5-10% of its budget without reducing our military strength?

The procurement process, be it CVNs or fighters, causes excessive cost overruns. Congressional mandates add billions..as contracts are awarded due to politcal influence..(see John Murtha) Social engineering policies add huge costs, and do nothing for our readiness.

The Pentagon is bloated beyond belief. At the height of WW II, when the US had almost 15 million in the military, the number of general officers ( and their attendant staffs) was less that one fifth of the number we have now, when the military is now about 1/10 the size. THere is NO excuse for that.

The Ft Hood murderer is STILL drawing his full salary and benefits, let alone first rate medical care, while awaiting trial. That is bizarre.

17 posted on 01/05/2012 8:21:51 PM PST by ken5050 (Mitt Romney: Eddie Haskell runs for president..)
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To: ken5050
"The Pentagon is bloated beyond belief. ... THere is NO excuse for that."

I can't disagree with what you've said, but have you noticed that the only government entity that ever seems to get trimmed back is the military? I don't believe obama and the dims are trying for a leaner, meaner fighting machine.

Hollow Army II

18 posted on 01/05/2012 8:32:24 PM PST by Flag_This (Real presidents don't bow.)
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To: Flag_This

Agree..and that was my point..redcuing the numbers of troops is the WRONG way to go about cost savings...and ANY cost savings should be applied to increasing the number of Navy warships..


19 posted on 01/05/2012 8:53:26 PM PST by ken5050 (Mitt Romney: Eddie Haskell runs for president..)
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To: KantianBurke
I would love to end Medicare, Medicaid and SS (and of course Obamacare) -- but would it even be possible?

people are so used to sucking at the teat it will be difficult.

SS - I tell everyone my age (30s) that they should look on that as money lost.

20 posted on 01/06/2012 12:35:16 AM PST by Cronos (Party like it's 12 20, 2012)
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