randomness

[Fuse]

Why the hell aren't the republicans making as huge a stink about the jaw dropping amount of money being spent on the occupation of nearly every major country in the world.  Also, I've lost count of how many wars we're currently in.  3?  4?

I know the reason... It's because the primary responsibility of government is protection. It is actually their job to handle battles. I agree with you that we can certainly cut back on many aspects of our military, but considering it is actually their primary role - I would never start there.

[likwidtek]

Why the hell aren't the republicans making as huge a stink about the jaw dropping amount of money being spent on the occupation of nearly every major country in the world.  Also, I've lost count of how many wars we're currently in.  3?  4?

I know the reason... It's because the primary responsibility of government is protection. It is actually their job to handle battles. I agree with you that we can certainly cut back on many aspects of our military, but considering it is actually their primary role - I would never start there.

Assuming this information is correct, "The military of the United States is deployed in more than 150[1] countries around the world, with more than 369,000 of its 1,580,255[2] active-duty personnel serving outside the United States and its territories. Most of these overseas personnel are deployed in combat zones in the Middle east, as part of the "War on Terror". Many of the remainder are located at installations activated during the Cold War, by which the US government sought to counter the Soviet Union in the aftermath of World War II." Source

Obviously we do not need to be deployed to 150 countries and fight a handful of wars to protect the US.  

It's incredibly silly to think that we're nation building, bombing and occupying to serve any other interest other than corporate profit.  There are defense contracts to be purchased, bombs and airplanes to be built, oil and heroine to control abroad and power to be grabbed.  It has not a bit to do with making sure that your back yard is threat free.

Eisenhower wasn't just making light talk in his farewell address.  Our money is being hijacked to serve the interested of some very.  VERY rich people under the guise of "freedom i$n't free!"

That money belongs to us.  Not just Republicans, Democrats or Independents.  Yours and mine.  My parents, your grandchildren.  That's our money.  And it's being stolen from us.

Don't be fooled.  We aren't out there fighting the good fight anymore.  We're out there kicking ass and taking power.  I don't agree with that shit.

Loosely related but I promise you this is worth the 9 minutes of your life.  Please watch it.

[Fuse]

Yes, as I said - I agree with you for the most part, but I think it's the last thing we should touch as it is actually their job. There is so much more important items to take care of first.

[likwidtek]

Yes, as I said - I agree with you for the most part, but I think it's the last thing we should touch as it is actually their job. There is so much more important items to take care of first.

In my opinion though, that way of thinking is what's so polarizing and absolutist.

If cutting military spending is totally off the table until Republicans feel entitlement spending is pulled back enough, that's far from a compromise or "real debt cutting".  And that's what we've seen with this whole debt ceiling fiasco.  It was all political theatrics and posturing when they're actually only quibbling over a tiny fraction of the real deficit.  

Nothing should be off the table.  But it's silly to say that the insane amount of military spending that's actually eating other countries / cultures, killing people and harming people's way of life is off the table while money that's actually "helping" people (and yes abused) needs to get cut first.  Yes my point is that we need to attack both military AND entitlements but it's a head scratcher when republicans refuse to cut military when it's the spending that positively impacts US lives the *LEAST*.

[Da6onet]

Two thoughts I just had (note, wildly open to getting shot down).

1. We won the cold war, therefore we have the right to influence the world and the responsibility to protect it. That means having our military pretty much everywhere at all times. That said, yes, our defense spending is inefficient.

2. Most social programs like welfare were designed to be temporary;FDR himself hated the idea of giving money directly to people. Programs like medicare highlight two problems. One is that paying into the government through taxes doesn't mean there will be enough money to pay for things far into the future. Two, you can't really vote yourself entitlement.

[Lithium]

Obama campaigned on the promise that he was going to end all the wars. He started another one and pumped more into the other ones!

There is a certain paradox in his promise that had it been held true we would have never killed Bin Laden.

[Da6onet]

Obama campaigned on the promise that he was going to end all the wars. He started another one and pumped more into the other ones!

There is a certain paradox in his promise that had it been held true we would have never killed Bin Laden.

It is a more frighteningly accurate paradox than you know.

If you look back in US History, you will find that every presidential candidate who has promised to end a war or not get involved in a war, has ended up doing exactly the opposite.

[Manic Velocity]

Apparently my fiance' has kept a 20-pack of Coke stashed "for emergencies". I discovered this after having a particularly stressful day today.

[Broin]

Orange Soda or Red Creme soda would be prefered...

[Anamodiel]

It's already Wednesday!!!

Two more weeks until my internship is over.

Three more weeks until I'm in school!!

Hope everyone is having a good day!

[Saint]

4 more weeks until Im playing TOR hehe ok... hoping

[Subb]

Two thoughts I just had (note, wildly open to getting shot down).

1. We won the cold war, therefore we have the right to influence the world and the responsibility to protect it. That means having our military pretty much everywhere at all times. That said, yes, our defense spending is inefficient.

This, I agree with.

[Lits]

Apparently my fiance' has kept a 20-pack of Coke stashed "for emergencies". I discovered this after having a particularly stressful day today.

That's a good woman right there.

[Tecknik]

California is pretty awesome. Did the tourist stuff. Went to the Walk of Fame and Venice Beach. Loving the cool weather.

[Fuse]

I've held at about 12 pounds lost - but yesterday ate awesome ribs and half a sheet of kick-ass brownies my wife made me.