US military budget: How would you change it?

[David Floyd]

And yes, the US/EU/NATO/UN has no business being involved in Libya unless there's evidence of genocide, etc.

And on what basis would that be our problem, either? I am not willing to risk ONE US serviceman in exchange for the lives of EVERY Libyan, unless a vital US interest is at stake. And last I checked, the lives of every Libyan is not a vital US interest.

[Asher]

Some people believe genocide is bad.

[David Floyd]

Yes, I am one of those people. Lot's of **** is bad. But "bad ****" doesn't automatically imply that the United States has a responsibility to fix it, now does it?

[MikeH]

*snort*

The UK government is already shopping around for someone to buy one of the carriers at LOW LOW PRICES, and the RN will have gone a decade without a strike carrier(as the QE as commissioned won't be a fixed-wing carrier), so it doesn't strike me as particularly unlikely that someone in HMG will go "you know...we went 10 years without fixed wing naval aviation...do we REALLY need this carrier?".

1. You obviously don't understand the review or have the information required to comment then.

2. Even without the carrier I'd still be right.

[MikeH]

This is exactly what lonestar is talking about. When the Europeans say "Let's have a mulinational no-fly zone", what they really mean is "America, please do the heavy lifting because we are too poor to pay for our own Navy."

And then they complain about us being the world's policemen.

Not "too poor to".

What you numbskulls don't seem to realise is that the US spending 40% of the entire world's defence budget, means other countries don't have to spend as much. Countries can choose to spend their money on health and education and stuff that actually wins elections.

You seem happy to spunk trillions on defence, if you want to shoulder that burden, and be the targets of the world's anger, go for it! Why be surprised when countries are happy to let you?

[MikeH]

So if you have an army/navy but you just aren't willing to use it, it still falls on us to actually handle the ****ing somali pirates and other crap that happens that requires military ships.

Also, when being a totally patronising doucebag don't forget that UK Army, Air Force and Navy have been constantly at war for 10 years, fully supporting the US in Afghanistan and Iraq and by far the second biggest military presence after the US.

We had 45,000 troops in Iraq.

We've had 4500 dead and wonded in Afghanistan so far, so can I offer a massive **** YOU on behalf of the UK armed forces when you suggest we aren't pulling our weight.

[MikeH]

And we have been out there fighting Somali pirates too. Something that you really don't need an aircraft carrier for.

[Jon Miller]

That's actually true, right now to keep the sea open you don't need capital ships.

JM

[Kitschum]

I'd cut the marines obviously. They're the Waffen SS of the US military. Lotsa bluster and fancier uniforms but in the end pretty much the same as the army.

Next I'll cut the airforce which will soon be made obsolete as soon as the new superlasers (http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011...away-a-record/) go online which can't be long now. I'll (Obama) send a bunch up into space and rain death rays down on all my (US') enemies.

[MikeH]

Keep the marines and Navy and cut everything else.

[SpencerH]

I'm coming late to this party so I'll just say we need to stop being the worlds policeman which means that we could probably cut the defense budget by a huge amount. We also need to stop funding ridiculously expensive projects of limited utility (such as the Osprey) and maybe even those with potential utility (such as the Raptor). $133M a piece is just too much for a fighter!

[Medex]

Leave the American military alone you lefty hippie commie America haters.

Increase spending everywhere all across the board. Increase arms manufacturing and swell all the ranks of the services to give Americans jobs. And if your whining about all your tax money going to the military well then get off your butt and join the party. You will get a slice of the pie (or you will ended up dying but thats a minor point) anyway if your smart enough you won't be front line meat.

Reducing military spending will explode the unemployment rate in America. We gotta do something with all these hordes of young Americans in these American towns and cities. They can't all be white collar nerds with cushy jobs.

Might as well go out in the world and blow something up. Expend that ammo, build some more, so we expend it again.

Job creation at its best. Plus if your really really smart enough you would be in the arms industry making the big cake. You will be able to live the American dream to its fullest and build your little mansion on the hill.

[Kitschum]

Ah, the Hitler school of job creation.

[MikeH]

[Wezil]

That is my father's defence of CF in Afghanistan:

"They weren't doing anything else anyway...."

:doh: