# military spending **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 21, 2014, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212 "2014-03-21T05:27:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ranger26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ranger26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger26)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/1 "2014-03-21T05:27:35Z")
I am wondering just how many Americans are favorable of the idea of cutting military spending and then re-investing that money in America’s infrastructure. I came across a petition on [moveon.org](http://moveon.org) titled that very thing (was doing a search of petitions) and it hit me as a very prudent thing to do. As a retired veteran, I witnessed first hand for over 20 years, the waste and profiteering that goes on in the defense spending apparatus of our nation. I am just wondering how many of you are favorable of supporting something of this nature. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/2 "2014-03-21T07:11:38Z")
I favor it but fear the military industrial complex/lobby has more swaying power than my vote. ---
**Author:** ![ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisUsernameIsForbidden)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/3 "2014-03-21T07:50:08Z")
I think most of us are in favor of reduction, but Democracy doesn’t matter in this case. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/4 "2014-03-21T08:18:58Z")
> **[Poll: Divide on military spending](https://www.politico.com/story/2014/02/military-spending-budget-poll-104030)** > > Thirty-seven percent say the country spends too much on the defense budget, the poll indicates. About 37 percent of Americans think the defense budget is too large and 28 percent think it is too small. ---
**Author:** ![ralfy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ralfy/32/600_2.png) [@ralfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralfy)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/5 "2014-03-21T08:30:05Z")
The only way out is to cut spending across the board: military, government, consumer, etc. Unfortunately, this can’t take place because none of the sectors will accept lower spending. ---
**Author:** ![ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisUsernameIsForbidden)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/6 "2014-03-21T09:18:17Z")
Why is that the only way to cut spending? ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/7 "2014-03-21T09:59:25Z")
The question is, cut military spending where? ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/8 "2014-03-21T10:56:15Z")
Too much pork tied up. The suits are even ordering the construction of gear (tanks, notably) that the generals in the Pentagon emphatically and explicitly do not want more of. And then there’s the positively silly F-35… The military-industrial complex is about make-work. ---
**Author:** ![Khendrask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@Khendrask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khendrask)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/9 "2014-03-21T11:07:43Z")
The very first step is to get every single incumbent out of office immediately; from the President down to local Mayors/city councils, and then replace them all by lottery, not corporation supplied and anonymous money rigged elections. That being said, yes, the US spends WAY too much on the military. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/10 "2014-03-21T11:10:50Z")
I do think we spend too much on the military, but I also am concerned that it we trim it, where will all those people be integrated into the price sector economy? The machinists and engineers building ships and planes. The soldiers, the folks working at the PX etc. Where do their replacement jobs come from? It seems a very complicated decision. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/11 "2014-03-21T12:15:56Z")
Look across the Atlantic guys - we are certainly cutting ours back - still to much brass though, and the RAF should be merged with what’s left of the Navy, but cutting it back they are. Of course we can always rely on your lot to bail us out if we get in trouble I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/12 "2014-03-21T12:22:08Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Of course we can always rely on your lot to bail us out if we get in trouble I guess. Trouble with _whom ? The UK has nukes. Yes, Prime Minister_’s “salami tactics” notwithstanding, T-72s are not rolling up Picadilly Square any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/13 "2014-03-21T12:29:24Z")
Well - we did have a bit of bother in the Crimea back in the 1850s. Let’s hope we keep our noses out this time. Checks under bed. Oh! and it’s Piccadilly _Circus_. We also have Trafalgar Square if that’s what you meant. Of course Horse Guards would be more likely. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/14 "2014-03-21T12:32:17Z")
:smack: I’m half-drunk. That’s my excuse, and I’m sticking with it. Bit wobbly so. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/15 "2014-03-21T12:53:57Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > :smack: > > I’m half-drunk. That’s my excuse, and I’m sticking with it. Bit wobbly so. \*Good \*for you! ---
**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/16 "2014-03-21T13:11:27Z")
The Chinese or Russians would sure appreciate our fine infrastructure then they take over the USA. ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/17 "2014-03-21T13:19:28Z")
> [@JerrySTL](#): > > The Chinese or Russians would sure appreciate our fine infrastructure then they take over the USA. Luckily my coffee is still brewing or it would be all over the keyboard. You crack me up. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/18 "2014-03-21T13:22:55Z")
**Moderator Action** The OP is part factual and part informal opinion poll (for future reference, questions that ask for opinions belong in the IMHO forum, General Questions is only for factual questions). However, the thread has since drifted well into debate territory, so off to GD it goes. Moving thread from General Questions to Great Debates. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/19 "2014-03-21T13:36:27Z")
I think military spending should be cut across the board, except for any cuts that will affect my district. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212/20 "2014-03-21T14:17:56Z")
> [@Khendrask](#): > > The very first step is to get every single incumbent out of office immediately; from the President down to local Mayors/city councils, and then replace them all by lottery, not corporation supplied and anonymous money rigged elections. Because nothing solves complicated economical problems like throwing shitloads of ignorance at it, right? Would you use the same approach to pick your teachers or babysitters? How about picking your surgeon by lottery? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-spending/684212.md?page=2)