You ask two different questions. The government's use of tax funds for the military is entirely appropriate. But I think you really mean is the amount of funds being spent appropriate for 2014. My view is no, and has been since the 1980s. Bloated military spending is a waste of scarce tax dollars. It also has insidious side effects. By being one of the more lucrative job creators for engineering and manufacturing, excess military spending removes many of our top employees from the private sector, which in turn, hurts our ability to create jobs. And to take it one step further, if the taxes spent on the military was spent in R&D, it would be a much better return on our investment.
But back to the military, I think we need to seriously reduce our world commitment.
For schools, yes but not the way we currently fund them. Property based taxes to fund schools helps insure that the wealthy get the better education. Public education has its problems, but is still one of the best expenditures of tax dollars.
And for the bonus question. Libertarians. Meh. They have some good ideas and I some concepts I agree with .. in concept. But when it comes down to the nuts and bolts, I'm realizing that a lot of libertarian positions are wishy washy. Case in point - from the libertarian website.
Recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue and that people can hold good-faith views on all sides, we believe that government should be kept out of the matter, leaving the question to each person for their conscientious consideration.
That's just a fancy way of saying they oppose Roe v Wade.
Education is best provided by the free market, achieving greater quality, accountability and efficiency with more diversity of choice. Recognizing that the education of children is a parental responsibility, we would restore authority to parents to determine the education of their children, without interference from government. Parents should have control of and responsibility for all funds expended for their children's education.
That's a fancy way of saying it sucks to be poor.
Libertarians support the rights recognized by the Fourth Amendment to be secure in our persons, homes, and property. Protection from unreasonable search and seizure should include records held by third parties, such as email, medical, and library records. ...
They get this part right.
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