(Military Times) Op-Ed: Economic Chaos and the Military

[unhappycamper]

Economic Chaos and the Military
Terry Stevens | October 15, 2008

Over the past 70 years I have seen some great presidents (like Franklin D Roosevelt), some good presidents (like Harry Truman), some bad Presidents (like Jimmy Carter) and some that just sort of let things happen (like Dwight Eisenhower). However, never have I seen a more worthless bunch than the current Congress and President when it came to looking out for the citizens of the United States.

It just isn't enough to say we should clean house in Washington; we should put most of them in jail.

It is not my intention to make this a political column because an op-ed piece in a military publication should focus on the military. So, I'll stick to what the current financial markets, housing market, unemployment rate, ravaged retirement system, stock market, oil industry gouging, automobile industry disaster and the pending 15 trillion dollar deficit will do to the military departments and the overall security of the United States.

Every economic downturn brings huge reductions in government goods and services due to the lack of incoming tax dollars from companies, product sales, services and higher unemployment levels.

Since 1946, every financial crisis has resulted in a severe degradation of the United States Military Forces—most notably during the Carter Administration. Military readiness, weapons systems acquisition, maintenance, troop levels, training requirements, infrastructure and combat efficiency all deteriorate.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,177291,00.html?wh=news



uhc comment: Since the Department of War consumes 55% of discretionary spending, I would expect them to take 55% of the pain.