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Victor_c3

(3,557 posts)

72. ditto

Thu Nov 29, 2012, 11:57 AM

Nov 2012

If you adjust the defense budget that Eisenhower had for inflation during the last year he was president, it would be about $400 billion a year. That was to maintain a military strong enough to, by their estimates, defeat the Soviets. In 2011 we spent over $700 billion on defense and we no longer face an enemy that is nearly as strong as the Soviets were at that time. So why are we spending so much money on defense? I really don't get it. Let's lop off an easy $100 billion and still have the most expensive military the world has ever seen. Hell, trim us down to $400 billion and we'll still be on top by a long shot.

After us, the next largest spender is China - and they spent $143 billion on their military.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures

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Senate's No. 2 Democrat calls for cuts to social safety net [View all] unhappycamper Nov 2012 OP

. NRaleighLiberal Nov 2012 #1

Military weapons? /nt Ash_F Nov 2012 #2

+1. Cutting out of control military & security spending should be a priority for Dems think Nov 2012 #46

ditto Victor_c3 Nov 2012 #72

We spent $700 billion? Next larged was China with $143 billion? Why can't we lop off $400 billion? RickFromMN Nov 2012 #94

Congressional pensions, gym, parking, health care? Social Sec. & Medicare for the rich? wordpix Dec 2012 #122

DON'T YOU DARE, DURBIN! Joe Bacon Nov 2012 #3

Done. Phlem Nov 2012 #87

Someone should point out shawn703 Nov 2012 #4

I hope lots of people point that out to this idiot!! n/t bluethruandthru Nov 2012 #63

The problem is the demographics on the entitlements get worse as the population ages. dkf Nov 2012 #84

I hate to admit it, but you're absolutely right. ParkieDem Nov 2012 #88

The problem is two-fold hypergrove Nov 2012 #99

It's a global economy where countries compete for corporations. dkf Nov 2012 #116

The US spends as much on defense as the NEXT TWENTY countries daa Nov 2012 #108

No, No, No lark Nov 2012 #96

Funds and taxes tama Nov 2012 #119

Our trust funds can only be invested in US treasuries. dkf Nov 2012 #120

Yep tama Nov 2012 #121

When did we actually have a surplus? hughee99 Nov 2012 #103

no way rtracey Nov 2012 #5

While I love your idea to cut the expenses of Congress, they probably wouldn't notice. RickFromMN Nov 2012 #95

Durbin is a disgrace. Faryn Balyncd Nov 2012 #6

"other entitlement cuts"??? Medicare cuts??? SHRED Nov 2012 #7

Yeah wait until I'm 58 to start changing the rules on me. AAO Nov 2012 #39

Durbin should be primaried. Faryn Balyncd Nov 2012 #8

i think he`s retiring.... madrchsod Nov 2012 #12

Maybe he's retiring from politics (?) but I bet if we were to check his lunch dates snappyturtle Nov 2012 #51

This. CrispyQ Nov 2012 #65

that's what i was thinking, he's auditioning for a new job leftyohiolib Nov 2012 #75

Maybe we should impeach him & let him would OPENLY for the corporate interests 2 years earlier than Faryn Balyncd Nov 2012 #98

We'd probably be better off if he did what you're proposing but then we would miss snappyturtle Nov 2012 #110

so he can live off his pension demokatgurrl Nov 2012 #81

Unfortunarely, you are correct. nt snappyturtle Nov 2012 #109

medicare is already going up next year. madrchsod Nov 2012 #9

Is that why they vote REPUG? julian09 Nov 2012 #86

Question, John2 Nov 2012 #10

I didn't get a chance to watch it, so thank you for your perspective. LisaLynne Nov 2012 #30

I didn't see it either but.. pangaia Nov 2012 #56

Well, John2 Nov 2012 #100

That's essentially what I heard him say in an interview over the weekend. Gidney N Cloyd Nov 2012 #66

NO. blackspade Nov 2012 #11

Oh fuck you Durbin! lonestarnot Nov 2012 #13

NONE of the highest tax rates,... SHRED Nov 2012 #14

It truly should be unconscionable for any Democrat to start out a negotiation by caving! AAO Nov 2012 #40

That's exactly what he's doing. Dick, this isn't 1994. closeupready Nov 2012 #71

If by "put everything on the table" he means fixing the capital gains thing mac56 Nov 2012 #15

No John2 Nov 2012 #22

Reform Medicare Part D (BushCare?) deurbano Nov 2012 #45

Good point, thanks. mac56 Nov 2012 #74

I expect a tiny increase in taxes and large cuts to entitlements to be in the works. Kablooie Nov 2012 #16

I concur. I can see it coming. But this time it won't be left to plethoro Nov 2012 #31

Wrong move senator. BVictor1 Nov 2012 #17

This message was self-deleted by its author AnotherMcIntosh Nov 2012 #26

Stop being a dick, Dickie. Fuddnik Nov 2012 #18

Any call for cutting The Wizard Nov 2012 #19

Ah ProSense Nov 2012 #20

Better idea. Fuddnik Nov 2012 #21

No, the MSM sucks. ProSense Nov 2012 #23

Obama is already negotiating a lower top rate than 39.6% AAO Nov 2012 #36

This is BS. Stop fooling with us. juajen Nov 2012 #54

I just read it... AAO Nov 2012 #60

wait--we won--aren't the other guys supposed to be thrown under the bus? dembotoz Nov 2012 #24

Some want to think that the D's are good and the R's are bad. Makes life simpler. rhett o rick Nov 2012 #67

went to a more progressive organization convention earlier this year dembotoz Nov 2012 #91

By any reasonable measure this was a status quo election with no power change in the WH, 24601 Nov 2012 #89

Republicans have won by less and claimed a mandate Occulus Nov 2012 #115

Time for a large gathering in front of his office. This plethoro Nov 2012 #25

Too bad Durbin didn't call for a tiny transaction tax on Wall Street. It is their turn to help. Overseas Nov 2012 #27

Durbin is always the first to bring out the white flag BEFORE the battle has even begun. ladjf Nov 2012 #28

WHAT?????!!!????? this is what folks stood in line for hours to vote asked for???? secondwind Nov 2012 #29

Was Durbin up for reelection? julian09 Nov 2012 #93

Fucking spineless bastards! This is going to turn out so well for us! AAO Nov 2012 #32

Durbin are you a flip flopper loyalkydem Nov 2012 #33

Cut the military! horsedoc Nov 2012 #34

We know the reason. Investments and kickbacks from lobbyists. AAO Nov 2012 #38

Let's put Durbin on the table demwing Nov 2012 #35

If Democrats listen to this asshat they will lose my vote, and money. still_one Nov 2012 #37

No they won't. Puzzledtraveller Nov 2012 #83

I will not donate to them if they put social security and medicare in the bargining. It is that still_one Nov 2012 #97

I am completely and utterly surprised a2liberal Nov 2012 #41

First thing we should put up on the chopping block is durbin's "entitlements", including his still_one Nov 2012 #42

Durbin has always been a neoliberal jerk Demeter Nov 2012 #43

Here's the C-SPAN video. CBHagman Nov 2012 #44

At last, a voice of reason! regnaD kciN Nov 2012 #90

Senator Durbin is very close with The President. mucifer Nov 2012 #47

Sen. Richard J. Durbin of Illinois Omaha Steve Nov 2012 #48

Just let the freeking tax cuts expire for all! AAO Nov 2012 #49

Ditto!!!!!!!!!!! SoapBox Nov 2012 #61

The thing about it is: with the Demographics now in place plethoro Nov 2012 #50

Durban is up for election 2014.................... kooljerk666 Nov 2012 #52

Social security should definitely be changed - the min age should be 55 with 100% benefits geckosfeet Nov 2012 #53

fear not, the DU sockpuppet Trolls will tell you not to worry fascisthunter Nov 2012 #55

I warned about this Kelvin Mace Nov 2012 #57

bunch of suck up lobbysists to a wealthy egomaniacs fascisthunter Nov 2012 #58

Kelvin...you are correct. SoapBox Nov 2012 #62

That I can deal with Kelvin Mace Nov 2012 #102

FUCKER. If they do this I am DONE with the Democratic Party. forestpath Nov 2012 #59

and do what? go where? just give up and let the rest of us fight for you? leftyohiolib Nov 2012 #76

LOL, there seems to be absolutely ZERO point in fighting...they only forestpath Nov 2012 #92

I have noticed. Quantess Nov 2012 #104

Agreed Liberalynn Nov 2012 #112

I was quiet about it the year before the election or so Quantess Nov 2012 #118

Old town establishment: bought and paid for. Hulk Nov 2012 #64

Dick Durbin is a rat fink vlyons Nov 2012 #68

Absolutely not. Do NOT put everything, repeat, everything on the table. closeupready Nov 2012 #69

Yes, tell the public everything is on the table ... 1StrongBlackMan Nov 2012 #70

And here we go... Cherchez la Femme Nov 2012 #73

cut military spending! mike_c Nov 2012 #77

Thank you Jake2413 Nov 2012 #78

Calling the Center for American Progress "liberal" is like Jackpine Radical Nov 2012 #79

Yes what a dick indeed demokatgurrl Nov 2012 #80

More betrayal MotherPetrie Nov 2012 #82

I used to respect Durbin Smilo Nov 2012 #85

NO NickP Nov 2012 #101

How about a massive cut in military/intelligence funding, DICK?! That ought to solve the problem! Dont call me Shirley Nov 2012 #105

More evidence as if we needed it that the cave is coming Liberalynn Nov 2012 #106

When he gives every cent this country has every given him back to the debt crisis Fearless Nov 2012 #107

Dont know why everyone is so shocked....this was gonna happen regardless of who won in November. AnOhioan Nov 2012 #111

I wonder what CEO maparus Nov 2012 #113

Fuck you Durbin, DICK FogerRox Nov 2012 #114

Would be useful if article said something more about Durbin's 'speech,' elleng Nov 2012 #117