GOP vs. the generals all over again

Foreign Policy ^ | 12 Feb 13 | Kevin Baron

[SkyPilot]

The nation

[ilgipper]

In what world does this author live?

[Cicero]

Well, perhaps I’m misunderstanding this, but I’d say it’s primarily Obama and the Dems who are kicking the can down the road. Neither Obama nor Harry Reid has even pretended to have a budget. Instead, they yell and scream that it’s all the Republicans’ fault unless they cave.

Also, most of the top guys in the current military are Obamanoids, who are playing along with all his lousy ideas. It’s either that, or get fired.

I’m afraid that’s why they are going on the record blaming the Republicans. Yes, the military is going to be in sorry shape for a number of reasons, uncluding sequestration, gays in the military, lousy Rules of Engagement, and now women in the front lines. But it’s primarily Obama’s doing. It certainly won’t help the armed services if the Republicans cave in to Obama again.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

And of the course the generals and admirals had absolutely nothing to say about Harry Reid not *allowing* a budget to be passed for FOUR YEARS now.

[familyop]

"The nation’s top military officers formed a solid front," along with an unidentified, mysterious budget expert.









Sorry...couldn't resist.

[Always A Marine]

What has happened to our nation?

Elections have consequences. We are bankrupt - a hollow shell of our former selves. We built the greatest civilization the world has ever seen, but we can no longer afford to sustain its largesse and defend its freedom at the same time. We are going the way of all the empires that crumbled before us.

[familyop]

"But Republicans, in preemptive statements, looked right past the brass and continued to pressure President Obama to accept their proposals to temporarily replace sequestration’s cuts to defense spending with other domestic spending cuts."

Looks like the right answer to me. Don't cut defense. Cut spending on other pork for state and local governments: regulatory, public education, etc.

[SkyPilot]

I agree with you that most of the blame goes to the Democrats, including Barry the Emperor.

The social engineering that makes Conservatives so angry (myself included) is horrible, but it isn't the Generals and Admirals who are making the laws. They didn't repeal DADT, or approve women in combat.

They have 2 choices: implement the policy once it is law or a lawful order, or resign.

Dempsey ticked me off with his "hands of criticizing Islam" garbage. One retired General who has known Dempsey for years thought he caved like a house of cards on that.

But the Joint Chiefs are still laboring to defend this nation, despite everything else. Our men and women in uniform still represent what is best about this nation. Those who disagree with that this is still true are wrong - period.

I know the Democrats are evil. God will deal with them. Believe me.

The Republicans, however, are far from sinless in this entire tragedy. - They signed off on Sequestration and the formula that takes 50% of the cuts from the military

- They are holding Defense hostage to the process

- They didn't push for end to Sequestration in January, in fact, they were not even interested

- They now talk about how "the President got his revenue" but they didn't exploit their leverage in agreeing to raise taxes with getting rid of the Sequester cuts. Now they are too late to the table with that argument

- They are going on every talk show they can think of, telling the country, the world, and our enemies that sequestration "is going to happen" and they won't back off on that

I know all about the House's two proposals to replace the Sequester cuts. They won't get Senate or Presidential buy in, so they can stop with that line. They need to show leadership now, not defeatism by allowing the absolute abuse and gutting of our nation's defense.

Ronald Reagan these guys are not.

[GeronL]

How is it the GOP’s fault that the Democrats won’t pass a budget in the Senate?

[elkfersupper]

De-fund the alphabet agency SWAT teams and send the money to the military.

There is no rational reason why the Department of Education, Fish & Wildlife, IRS, DEA, HHS, and a hundred others should need tactical weaponry or personnel.

[Cicero]

No, the Republicans are far from blameless, but most of the blame is for their unwillingness to stand firmly against the evil doings of the Democrats and the media.

Boner should have been given the boot long since.

[GeronL]

Obama wants a Civilian Army, you know like the USSR had

[elkfersupper]

Can’t happen if everybody is a criminal, without..........amnesty for a select number.

[ConservativeInPA]

The choice is clear to me. Now Republicans have to grow a pair and tell their story bluntly. The choice is Obama phones, hand outs to lazy ass Amish, green energy screw ups, over priced, ineffective health care or national security.

It isn't a difficult story to tell.

[OneWingedShark]

>> "But Republicans, in preemptive statements, looked right past the brass and continued to pressure President Obama to accept their proposals to temporarily replace sequestration’s cuts to defense spending with other domestic spending cuts."
>
> Looks like the right answer to me. Don't cut defense. Cut spending on other pork for state and local governments: regulatory, public education, etc.

You know, I think it might be a good thing to cut defense. Not to say we shouldn't spend on defense, but that would give the States some uncomfortableness that could result in the States beefing up their individual defenses... and that would be a good thing, especially as pressures from the fe[de]ral government overreach continue to mount.

Also worth noting is the Constitution only authorizes the congress to authorize spending for the Army for no more than 2 years -- this is a safety measure originally written into the Constitution: it was designed to keep the US from being entangled in long wars -- indeed the "federal army" was not a regular army, but drawn from the states and commissioned for some mission. A return to that way of operating would, IMO, be a very good thing.

[DIRTYSECRET]

You didn’t know? Generals are politicians.

[jpsb]

We are hopelessly in debt with a falling income. Our ability to create wealth has been moved out of the country. What wealth that remains is being looted by crony capitalist and their partners in government. This is just the beginning.

[jpsb]

Bush was just as bad, maybe even worse on spending as Obama. No much difference between Bush and Obama on policy. “Religion of peace” anyone? patriot act anyone? No child left behind anyone? Free drugs for ganny anyone? To big to fail anyone? TARP bailout anyone?

[Cen-Tejas]

I agree with you.

This is just step one. These same joint chiefs have got to get it in their head that the old U.S. and the old way of doing things is over. The U.S. is BROKE! Say good bye to aircraft carriers and marine divisions!!!

It’s sad, but true! Only apparent alternative is one of Thomas Jefferson’s famous quote: When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty.
Thomas Jefferson

I fear these officers are going to one day soon be forced to choose sides like Lee, Sherman, Grant and Jackson, to name just a few, did back in 1861. Arguably, this is where we are headed.

[Jack Hammer]

The GOP doesn’t promote Chair Polishers, Obama does, and if you’re looking for the one additional star before pension time, then its “Three Cheers for Obama and let’s end this sequestration as soon as possible”, whatever the cost.