Originally posted by crisko
Originally posted by SwearBear
Why not cut the defense budget?
The US defense budget is about 45% of the US governments annual budget ...
www.oldamericancentury.org...
LOL. No it isn't. As of September 2005, it was about 3.4% of the U.S. GNP; and it's actually going down.
Most of the current expenditure is due to the upgrade of decrepit defense systems still left over from the Cold War.
The highest it's ever been was around 5% of the GNP in the 1980's.
Sure, we are fighting wars; but whether or not we are, the troops have to get paid, Hummers need oil changes and Generals need their golf courses maintained.
Google it; or ask your economics teacher.
[edit on 22-9-2005 by crisko]
Er yes it is Crisco. It is around 45% of the governments spending budget.
GNP is Gross National Product and has nothing to do with the government spending. However a larger GNP would give the government more money through taXES ETC.
I suggest you speak to an economics teacher before you try to belittle others, making yourself look silly at the same time.
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Anyway, I don't see cutting the military budget an option for the US at the moment. The economy does depend on the military to a certain extent and I think we all know the US is likely to be on the offensive for some time to come.
Increasing taxes is likely the best option as a small increase could be made over and kept over a long period. When the cost has been covered the taxes could be dropped again. Although my skepticism of goverments makes me believe it would likely not be dropped again.
Likely the only other option would be to borrow more money from other countries.
