What exactly is our military defending exactly, itself?

Something the USA military needs to assess is the extent our "Defense" inhibits and hurts the citizens. What do I mean by that?


Number in Poverty and Poverty Rates from 1959 to 2010 (click here)


We know for a fact. FACT! When a country is dedicated to war there is impact at home. The current poverty rate in the USA is over 15 %. It is directly related to the global economic collapse ushered in during the Bush years. There are twice before levels matching that, under Ronald Reagan in 1983 and under Clinton in 1993. It is interesting to realize when the USA is perceived by citizens as doing well there is actually an increase in poverty. That is due to monies in the economy sequestered in the upper income brackets. Wall Steet did exceptionally well under both Reagan and Clinton. In 1993, Wall Street claimed a lot of success in the face of oppositional odds, while culling the herd of employees. The increase in poverty in 1993 was also due to deficit reduction if I remember correctly.


January 01, 1994|TOM PETRUNO | TIMES STAFF WRITER
Wall Street clawed its way to a third straight winning year in 1993, (click here) overcoming early doubts about the economy, later fears of higher interest rates and a growing diversion of U.S. investors' cash to red-hot foreign markets. The Dow Jones industrial average jumped 13.7% for the year and closed just under its all-time high. The Dow began the year at 3,301.11 and ended at 3,754.09, for a 452.98-point gain....

1993 Deficit Reduction: A lesson on taxes, economic growth, and jobs—as reported by America’s premier CONSERVATIVEfinancial daily news publication: The Wall Street Journal Conservative politicians always threaten the public (click here) that, if Congress or the President raises taxes on the wealthy, the economy will slow down, unemployment will go up, and workers' wages will go down.      Conservatives’ hidden agenda: we want to allow our wealthy supporters—the ones who benefited most from the economic policies that forced huge sacrifices onto American workers during the 1980s and 90s—to be able to keep more of their money.      Reality: Raising taxes on the wealthy is much more likely to reduce the deficit and make more money available to proactively solve America’s problems—and save money in the long run. In addition, it may have absolutely no negative effect on economic growth, jobs or wages.      Here’s what conservative politicians said about the 1993 deficit reduction legislation that raised taxes on the top 1.2% of our wealthiest citizens:  "Clearly, this is a job-killer in the short-run. The impact on job creation is going to be devastating." —Rep. Dick Armey, (Republican, Texas)  "The tax increase will…lead to a recession…and will actually increase the deficit." —Rep. Newt Gingrich (Republican, Georgia) "I will make you this bet. I am willing to risk the mortgage on it…the deficit will be up; unemployment will be up; in my judgment, inflation will be up." —Sen. Robert Packwood (Republican, Oregon) "The deficit four years from today will be higher than it is today, not lower." —Sen. Phil Gramm (Republican, Texas) "The President promised a middle-class tax cut, yet he and his party imposed the largest tax increase in American history. We hope his higher taxes will not cut short the economic recovery and declining interest rates he inherited… Instead of stifling growth through higher taxes and increased government regulations, Republicans would take America in a different direction." —Sen. Robert Dole (Republican, Kansas) That article was long before Rupert Murdoch took over the Wall Street Journal, one of his propaganda rags, now. No different than "News of the World," a paper that stood for 100 years was destroyed when Murdoch bought the paper. But, that isn't what this is about. This is about how military spending escalates along with the USA poverty rate. It would seem as though the USA military is only concerned for itself and to extent our national debt when it believes it will be reduced in spending. It never seems to worry about the quality of life Americans have or how the GDP is growing to support such a huge military by paying taxes and participating in the economy.

What the Joint Chiefs never do is concern themselves with the health of the American Middle Class, the backbone of the country and their quality of life and their ability to pay taxes and increase GDP. I am confident the Joint Chiefs are concerned with the quality of life of spouses to our soldiers and the families and rightfully so. But, if they sincerely are worried about the percent of GDP of the USA National Debt they need to realize when economics are toyed with for political volleys that means their 'cut of the taxes' has to change.


Basically, the USA military can't bite the hand that feeds them. They can't oppress the citizens while expecting to maintain a healthy portion of the USA taxes. If the USA Middle Class cannot sustain itself and contribute to the USA economy through good wages and paid taxes, does the USA military believe they can actually justify such a huge amount of spending in the face of poverty of its citizens?


It is a moral quandary the military has to answer. It is the Middle Class and the Poor of the USA that provides the soldiers it proclaims as the best in the world. I would think the military leadership of this country would be more than concerned about the plight of the families, friends and neighbors faced when their sons and daughters are being asked to go to war. 


There is a stark reality the country in general has to contend with. It is the fact their tax dollars support a military whom's cost oppresses their 'common good' and the economy of their country.


First Posted: 08/11/11 05:12 PM ET Updated: 10/11/11 06:12 AM ET

In America today, (click here) even men and women returning from war can't expect their families to be exempt from the foreclosure crisis.

On the same day that soldier Aaron Collette returned from a tour of duty in Iraq to his father Tim's home in Bend, Oregon, that very house was bought back at auction due to foreclosure, local news KTVZ reports. According to ThinkProgess, a campaign by Senator Jeff Merkely (D-OR ) had delayed the foreclosure proceedings. But still, despite promising to work with the Collettes, JPMorgan Chase eventually went through with reportedly repurchasing the home.

Aaron and his dad are no different from the millions of people who have been foreclosed upon due to a crisis that has seen also affected numbers of military personnel....


It isn't enough for the leadership of the USA military to say the National Debt is a security risk. The USA military has to define what is occurring with the National Debt in relation to GDP to state it is a national security risk. In other words, when the GDP falls because of a draconian wealth class, there is significant reasons to be concerned for the overall well being of the country and its ability to support a military that works to protect it. Cutting spending isn't answering the problem to a shrinking tax base and falling GDP.