Hey, never mind we have poverty, violence, illnesses, teen pregnancy, etc. to be concerned about! :rolleyes

Oh and how much did Hurricane Katrina get? 60 billion or so right? :rolleyes

It says in this article, $50 billion will go as a down payment and for 2006 the war total will be $120 billion.

Read to see where this $439 billion is going :rolleyes


http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20060202-1652-defensebudget.html

WASHINGTON – President Bush next week will request a $439.3 billion Defense Department budget for 2007, a nearly 5 percent increase over this year, according to senior Pentagon officials and documents obtained Thursday by The Associated Press.

The spending plan would include $84.2 billion for weapons programs, a nearly 8 percent increase, including billions of dollars for fighter jets, Navy ships, helicopters and unmanned aircraft. The total includes a substantial increase in weapons spending for the Army, which will get $16.8 billion in the 2007 budget, compared with $11 billion this year.

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Senior defense officials provided the totals on condition of anonymity because the defense budget will not be publicly released until Monday. The figures did not include about $50 billion that Bush administration officials said Thursday they would request as a down payment for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2007. The administration said war costs for 2006 would total $120 billion.

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld would not provide any details of the budget Thursday but called it appropriate, adding: “We have been able to fund the important things that are needed. It is a sizable amount of money.”

The budget proposal represents the fifth year in a row that spending on weapons has increased, after years of cutbacks during the 1990s.

It also provides funding for 42 Army Brigade Combat Teams as part of the ongoing effort to increase the number of combat units from 33. The expansion would allow soldiers to spend two years at their home station for every year they are deployed to a war front.

Overall, the Army would receive $111.8 billion, including $42.6 billion for personnel. The Army National Guard would receive about $5.25 billion for personnel, and the Army Reserves would receive $3.4 billion.

The documents say the budget plan will provide the funding needed to win the long war on terror, recruit and retain troops, and continue the transformation to a more agile fighting force for the 21st century.

The Army's key weapons program, the Future Combat System, will be funded at $2.2 billion, and there will be $583 million to buy nearly 3,100 more heavily armored Humvees. The budget also includes nearly $800 million for 100 Stryker transport vehicles.

During a speech Thursday, Rumsfeld said the Pentagon is learning to do more with less.

“We are finding ways to operate that department in ways that are considerably more efficient and more respectful of taxpayers' dollars,” he said. “We are getting much more for the dollar today than we were five years ago.”

In other budget programs, the Air Force will receive about $2.2 billion for the F-22 fighter – slashing the 2006 total nearly in half. The drop in funding, however, is actually a contract restructuring that would return that money – and more – over the long run by stretching out the program for an additional two years and buying four more planes. The new plan calls for buying 20 aircraft each year in 2008, 2009 and 2010, rather than 56 in the next two years.

The Navy will receive about $2.5 billion for the next Virginia Class submarine, and there is $360 million in the budget for development of the new CH53K heavy lift helicopter for the Marine Corps.

Other programs in the budget include:

–$5.6 billion to support a wide variety of programs to address the multiple needs of military families, including child care, family counseling, tuition assistance and family centers.

–About $1.8 billion for 81 Army Black Hawk and Navy Hawk helicopters.

–$1.3 billion for five of the new Joint Strike Fighters.

I think they do need to spend more to make sure that as many of those guys are taken care of period. I mean even with the Navy guys they don't have the proper equipment either.
Maybe I am missing something :dunno

I can understand the programs for military families...but I guess I can't understand how they need more guns, helicopters, and what not. Whats wrong w/ what we got? Is it b/c of the war in Iraq?

I just see it as a waste of all that damn money on shit like that for that war, if thats the case. Meaning, I'm not sure if I can see the war as being worth all this....We've got serious issues going on in our country and these issues are getting worse, not better.

I don't know. Some days I ride the fence w/ this war and other days I don't. I wish I was apart of that government so I could see w/ my own eyes if there really is truly a point. Sure some of us can say there is a point or the guys that are over there can say that, but what if there's more to the story than what we're all seeing?

That is just a lot of money with all the issues we have here.

Oh and I understand that we need to replace equipment as it gets older or what not...but again, if this is for the war in Iraq...well, you know how I feel.

I'm not saying that I agree with the budgeting, but they're probably thinking farther in the future than Iraq. Bush has already indicated that he would be prepared to take on Iran and Korea because of their nuclear programs - I think he's just making sure the military are prepared.

True...Didn't consider that.

Man...I just don't know...That is just a lot of money, you know? I mean, of course I want to be safe! But is it really that necessary for THAT much? If you think about the issues we have here: gangs becoming more popular, people losing their jobs b/c of economy reasons and therfore their families becoming homeless, healthcare costs, etc is it worth that much?

But all of the Army guys and Marines and the others on the ground need more protection.
That has been plastered all over the news lately. They are adding new plates to the bullet proof vests etc..
Some of the weapons are OLD and can not compare to some of the things the "others" are using
I think if you talk to some of the guys over there then you might understand it a little more.

Sad...this world is one big cluster fuck.

We keep doing all this shit to each other and yet our own countries suffer but since we're playing with each other, we have to use the money to protect ourselves.

Sad. It's ironic that we all think we're protecting our countries, but yet our people are dying or suffering. Who are we really trying to protect here? It's selfish reasons, I believe.

Oh and if you look it up they did a study that proved some high percentage of the Army guys wouldn't have died had they had better Armor

I think if you talk to some of the guys over there then you might understand it a little more.

That's what I mean. I've read stories and heard some say it's worth it and others say it wasn't. I've read stories and listened to videos of the Iraqi people speaking and some say they like the troops there and others say they don't.

That's why I think it would be very interesting to be a fly on the wall when our government meets to make these decisions. Who knows what is really being said w/ the select few. I don't trust what is shared w/ the public.

Oh and I may get jumped for this, BUT a lot of the reason NO etc.. is not rebuilding as quickly as some would like is because many of them didn't have ins etc....
So is the gov supposed to just build them a new house? I personally don't think so. Yes we should help them out and we are but we shouldn't give them a free ride. JMO
Maybe I feel this way cause there are so many here that are screwing people over when they didn't loose a thing.
That pisses me off
As for the money over there if it is to PROTECT our guys I am all for it cause again that is for OUR Country KWIM? :)

oh true they are politicians lol we aren't supposed to trust them lol

I dont think so. I think the economy is going to take another blow because of the budget. He needs to focus more on domestic issues, but he also has the problem that the US has attracted a lot of attention through the war, and is now a huge target for any extremist group, or country that doesn't agree with its policies. Whilst the US thought it was doing the right thing by intervening, any country that doesn't operate in the way the US sees as 'right' now percieves itself as under threat - that includes Korea, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, and of course Iran. Those countries will do what they can to protect themselves from future attacks, and the US has to protect itself from possible attacks from them. I personally dont think Bush is going about this the right way - he's forgotten about bioterrorism for a start - but I can understand why there would be such a big budget for defence.

Zelda, in a sense that's what I meant. You just were able to explain it in a more educated way, lol. I'm not good w/ words :P

And I agree w/ the other stuff you wrote about.

sorry - didn't mean to be supercilious!

No worries!

I agree that he is planning on other countries cause I think it said the war on terror too right?
I understand what you ladies are saying but I think when it comes to the guys coming home by foot or in a wooden box I would want the money to go towards them so that they have a better chance to come home on foot

I agree that he is planning on other countries cause I think it said the war on terror too right?
I understand what you ladies are saying but I think when it comes to the guys coming home by foot or in a wooden box I would want the money to go towards them so that they have a better chance to come home on foot
If you think of it in that way, isn't Bush effectively playing God? By giving the military a huge monitary boost to raise chances of them coming home on foot, he's sacrificing the people on the poverty line, for example. I'm not saying he shouldn't spend any money on defence, I just think the money isn't being distributed as wisely as it could be.

Again Zelda, you spoke for me :D

That's what I was thinking too...Of course though we would not want those men to die...but, what about the ones that are dying here or suffering?

No not really because the military always gets a big amount.
I don't think he is sacraficing the ones in poverty etc... Because there are LOTS of programs out there but some people don't take up those services or some realize with some of these services that they make more than they would if they work and "choose" not to.
As for that my sister is well below the poverty line and they get by. We ourselves have been below it but I NEVER blamed the gov. for that.
Yes natural disasters can't be planned for but everyone should have a backup plan etc...
The war on terror is going to get worse and everyone knows it. So what we sit on the money and wait for them to attack us again and then give those families billions of dollars because they lost a loved one?

I mean really if we want to get technical with the money did those families that lost someone on 9/11 "deserve" all that money for loosing a loved one? Cause we had people living in poverty then too.
That game can be played both ways.

I still dont think he's spending the money wisely. For eg you take the argument that the country needs to be protected. New strains of various agents that could be useful as bioterrorism weaponry are developed around the world every day. Yet Bush has ignored a call to investigate worldwide research into this. It's all well and good, giving the solders nice big shiny guns to play with, but what's the point if they all die from a new strain of TCDD?!

He isn't perfect.
No President that I know has ever been perfect. I think he is doing the right thing. They come up with new reasons every year throughout the year to spend extra money on. And like Rach said I am sure there are MANY things that WE as the PUBLIC do not know about. We don't know for sure that he isn't researching it! Just like until the leak we didn't know that they were "really" listening in on phone conversations.

And he can't fix the world in one day or one year. So is he supposed to put a little here and a little there and then people BITCH cause he didn't do enough to fix the problem over night? I mean that is what it all boils down to right?
People are bitching now at the programs and opportunities that are available, and a lot of those won't take the time to look for the assistance that is offered

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one - we'll both find out soon enough whether or not he's doing the right thing..

yeah I guess so
heading to bed :D

night night!

Good Night

Breezy~I totally agree with you on the hurricane Katrina deal. I think handing out money to a bunch of people that didn't have money in the first place is wrong. I think they fucked that situation all up.

I also think giving the families of 9/11 millions of dollars is wrong. It's called life insurance if you don't have it then you should get it. I know my dh pays 27 bucks for 400,000 dollars of life insurance. Why should the family members of 9/11 get any more money then whatever life insurance they had.

I really wish our government would get it's head screwed on straight. They are handing out money left and right. I think they should supply our military with appropriate equipment to get through this godawful war.

Both of you have valid points and we do need to give our military new equipment, because we have to stay one step ahead of the enemy in order to protect the right to even fund a military in the first place.

One of the biggest problems our country has is that we are ALL lazy... and not in the sense that we sit around and don't do anything, but that there are more people who are unemployed by choice and just collect that check every month than most other countries... there are jobs available out there to be had, sometimes it takes some humility to work a job that doesn't seem "fair" or "cool" but they have to be done. People complain about NO and the NEED for the government to help out... the government has been helping MOST of the section of NO that was the most destroyed for YEARS... many of those people were on welfare and just chose not to have a job or do anything to better themselves. There were a lot of very hardworking people there that have been doing what they can to get by and even though it was a little the government did step in a help out... it may have been late but give credit for what was done rather than what didn't happen or wasn't done.

The media is playing our minds by just focusing on the negative. If we seriously look at all the good things the government has done and what the President and his wife have been able to accomplish then I think the way we look at things would be a bit different. Sure there are reasons to be concerned and there are days when I want to go up and just slap him in the face and say wake up... we're waiting on some domestic agenda to be set and followed through with here, but we're in the middle of a war. A few years ago the country was all gung ho on being a united force to get this thing done... it seems like a big wedge has been put in the middle of everyone because we shouldn't be there still... we are and we're going to have to deal with it... rather than bitching the entire time about how soon they need to come home it should be a matter of lets just get this over with and get them home safely not hastily. That's the big issue right now... get everybody out quick and lets wash our hands of this... there's no way that the US will ever be COMPLETELY out of Iraq... no way in hell... unless some crazy World Peace breaks out, which is highly unlikely. What we don't think about is the fact that we have military presence all over the world because of threats... why focus on one place when we have a whole world to look out for. There are so many threats on us right now and the budget seems fair considering what we have to prepare for. I'd personally rather be safe than sorry. We can intercept things and fight things with the right equipment. Our boys deserve at least that with the sacrifices they are making. It takes sacrifice both on the homefront and the battlefield to make it through a war. We all need to keep that in mind too. Yes this has lasted for far too long, but when has conflict ever been a snap of the finger to resolve. This is going to take time to heal if it ever does!

I hope I didn't step on anyone's toes... this is something that sort of eats at me when I think about it. We are all quick to blame (myself included) rather than looking at the big picture and looking at how it could be fixed or changed. I just pray everyday that we keep focusing on that ultimate goal and that we'll get past all the hatred. That's ultimately what started this whole thing in the first place. That evil hatred!

Wow I didn't realize how long that was... sorry I was on my soapbox for so long!

yes, but we have gange issues that are starting to get worse. Where are the resources to educate people and those in the gangs? Or, how about a family where the parents are making top dollars or the one is the bread winner, loses his/her job and therefore the family goes spiraling downward? I know of someone personally who had a beautiful home and a great job and his wife stayed home taking care of their 2 children. He lost his job (along w/ everyone else) and he has tried to work 2 or more jobs and their suffering. People who suffer like this are not always just lazy asses who don't want to work or are not making the effort to try to pick themselves up. What about healthcare costs? Do you know how many Americans are w/out healthcare b/c it's just too damn expensive? What about more programs for teenage pregnancy, domestic abuse, child abuse, etc.

And no, I dont think the victims families of 911 should of gotten that money.

There's so much going on out there and what we see on tv or in the news is only the tip of the iceberg.

Those countries have their own issues. What about the 3rd world countries where their children are starving to death and dying b/c they don't have the funds to provide for medical or nurishment? Those children are buried into the ground w/ no gravestone. It's like they never existed. What about the women being killed or abused? What about having programs and assistance for them?

I could go on and on....

It's like I said in a few posts back, who are we all really protecting? When it comes down to it, its your ass your trying to cover. Not the thousands of troops or the people in the country.

You make some valid points, but I think that by setting aside such a huge budget, the President is being very shortsighted. Yes, you need to protect the country from a huge no of threats, but putting so much money into military defence isn't going to help in the long run. The US economy has suffered throughout the war - even after the war was declared officially over the exchange rate against gpb was roughly 2:1. China, on the other hand, is a much bigger country with a steadily rising economy. The US has had a lot of clout in the past because of it's sheer size and steady economy. If the President isn't careful to spend the budget on domestic issues (and indirectly stabilising the economy) rather than building unmanned fighter jets (and did he not watch Stealth?!!) the US will no longer be recognised as the 'no 1' country. Now can you imagine what would happen if China chose to intervene with countries that aren't cuturally doing the right thing in their eyes?!

I've read in Time or somewhere that China is catching up to the US....

There are WAY too many people without healthcare... working in a pediatricians office I saw the worst of no healthcare... well baby visits aren't cheap and the insurance companies are charging more for less health care... the saddest thing is hospitals are sacrificing their employees healthcare benefits to save money... that's where it really gets bad....

I didn't say all the people who suffer are lazy asses, but it seems like most that are complaining about not having anything are the one's who just stuck their hands out and collected our tax dollars that could've gone to good programs to stop gangs, and drugs, and educate those kids to get them off the streets. Those people could get up and work just like the rest of us. I see the effect of the money drain everyday personally in my own life... my father is disabled... he can't work a normal job if any job at all and his SS benefits are dwindling because of people who con the government and the citizens moreso out of the money they are entitled to and deserve.

There are a lot of things that are backwards in this country, but they can't all be fixed at once and humanity is losing it's ability to be civil and human in my opinion. There are things that have happened in the last century and decade that have changed the way people thing and act towards each other and before anything can be "FIXED" persay... the attitude of the general population of humanity has to change. That's an almost impossible task.

Yeah China is definitely and economic threat to the US... they are sort of flaunting it too now. They know what kind of power they potentially have... that's pretty scary!

the attitude of the general population of humanity has to change. That's an almost impossible task.

Yep, that's what I was saying....this world is a cluster fuck. To put it bluntly.

And in order to change the attitude of the general public the US should spend $439 billion on defence?!!

Unfortunately it's going to take an act of God to make that happen... with over 7 billion people it would be a miracle if it happened

And in order to change the attitude of the general public the US should spend $439 billion on defence?!!


unfortunately you can't just sit around and twiddle your thumbs waiting for absolution... it's a catch 22... you don't do something you're screwed... you do something you're still screwed.. it's impossible to make everyone happy! unfortunate!

Ok, so the general attitude should be that if it's impossible to make the world a nicer place, we should at least blow a chunk of the budget on equipment to take out anyone we dont see eye to eye with?

I know I'm sounding antagonistic, but I just dont see excuses such as 'he's not perfect' or 'it's going to take an act of god [to change humanity]' being acceptable for spending that much money purely on defence.

I agree

unfortunately you can't just sit around and twiddle your thumbs waiting for absolution... it's a catch 22... you don't do something you're screwed... you do something you're still screwed.. it's impossible to make everyone happy! unfortunate!
ok, you cant make everyone happy, but blowing a huge wad of cash on such things as unmanned fighter jets instead of research on bioterrorist agents/stengthening the economy/healthcare etc isn't exactly going to help things IMO. It's like playing [I]Risk[/] - if you send out all of your little men, you leave your territory vunerable. Same with the budget - if you blow too much on international affairs, you risk leaving the country vunerable.

I'm not saying it's perfectly acceptable to spend that much money on defense, but why back down like a bunch of cowards when the other countries are doing the same thing for their defenses... if we don't put up a front (which is ultimately what the budget is) then how are we going to stand a chance against anyone else...

the budget has never stayed the same as the proposed and passed budgets have been put through... it's either WAY over or WAY under what they thought... I'm not going to hold my breath to wait and see... our government has some serious decision issues, but so does everyone elses.

500 billion on defense is A LOT yes, how else are we going to get through it though... I think to fully understand it we'd have to sit there with the cabinet and the president and his financial advisors and really listen to what they believe is the best strategy... afterall they have MUCH more information than we do... and most of ours is twisted anyway...

the budget is outrageous yes, but there's really no way for us to know EXACTLY why they did what they did. We'll never know either... having a president and a government is a gamble... we pay our taxes and our dues to our country and it's a gamble as to what they do with our money... it's sad, but that's the way it works... i'm just really appreciative of the fact that I can get pissed off about something and not worry about getting my hand cut off or being killed for it... that's part of what the money is helping to protect.

I appreciate how you feel on the subject though and agree that the budget needs to be rethought, but not at the sacrifice of good reliable equipment for our troops. They are doing us a service and we at least need to give them the protection they deserve... I guess that's what it all boils down to!

but the numbers are a little rediculous and the unmanned fighter jet things seems a little out of realistic reach within safety bounds

... i'm just really appreciative of the fact that I can get pissed off about something and not worry about getting my hand cut off or being killed for it... that's part of what the money is helping to protect.
I dont agree with that - the war on Iraq is officially over - they're now discussing strategic withdrawal. Who else is the US setting out to protect by buying so much more equipment?!

We've still got Korea, China, Iran and Syria to be mindful of. Korea and Iran are the one's with the nuclear threat we're trying to avoid. Ultimately it's all a matter of who's balls are bigger and who can talk more and put up bigger guns.

There were serious threats on our country in the 90s when all the cutbacks were going on. The government should've been doing something about the threats then while they weren't such a powerful force... Even though the war in Iraq was declared over (that being the war with Sadam) the war with the terrorist groups that are holed up in Iraq is still going on and if any of the work that has been done so far is to be effective then it's going to take a little while longer with the help of the US to get Iraq to be a stable nation... strategic withdrawels are happening yes and it's a GREAT thing they are, but there's still a need for proper equipment in the mean time.

I think we're arguing the same point now! I agree with you that the military need adequate protection and proper equipment, I just dont think it justifies that big a budget.

Okay, I have nothing really to add to this except that I agree with Stephanie and (oddly enough) I agree with Breezy.

I think we are too! It takes me some time sometimes to get down to what I really think is going on. Turns out we are both pretty stubborn! LOL!! Our DF's have no idea what's in store for them!!!

I think we're both going to agree with the fact that the government can't be trusted to make the right decisions all the time.

Yep..

:lmao I know - god help our poor future husbands! Once I get onto my soap box it's pretty hard for me to get off it again! :D

Good debate ladies!! Oddly enough I'm really energized right now... I've sort of been mind numb lately with baby all the time with my nanny job! Thanks for the adult interaction I guess you would call it!!! My brain is really happy right now!!

:hehe

:lmao I know - god help our poor future husbands! Once I get onto my soap box it's pretty hard for me to get off it again! :D


I'm seeing pictures of the women's suffrage movement! LOL!!! It's going to be fun though!!! They take it pretty well... and when we argue there's always the making up part to look forward too!!!

Good debate ladies!! Oddly enough I'm really energized right now... I've sort of been mind numb lately with baby all the time with my nanny job! Thanks for the adult interaction I guess you would call it!!! My brain is really happy right now!!
I know what you mean - I'm feeling pretty hyper at the moment. I might actually be able to get some work done today!!

LOL!! I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to get some sleep... it's 1 am here now! LOL!! Good thing I got the day off tomorrow...

I wish I could say the same. I have such a hard time now thinking straight and getting my ideas out the right way. Pregnancy brain is not cool :P I'm still tired :hehe

I need the extra energy - I'm going snowboarding in a few hrs :shock

I need the extra energy - I'm going snowboarding in a few hrs :shock


Jealous!! I could use a winter sport or two right now! I LOVE to snow ski!!!

I've never done it before - I'm petrified!!

my speech prof in school did this to put million and billion in perspective
1 million dollars= approximately 11 days
1 billion dollars= approximately 31 years.
i know those are bigger numbers in the article but i hope this puts it in perspective of how much money it actually is

Breezy~I totally agree with you on the hurricane Katrina deal. I think handing out money to a bunch of people that didn't have money in the first place is wrong. I think they fucked that situation all up.

I also think giving the families of 9/11 millions of dollars is wrong. It's called life insurance if you don't have it then you should get it. I know my dh pays 27 bucks for 400,000 dollars of life insurance. Why should the family members of 9/11 get any more money then whatever life insurance they had.

I really wish our government would get it's head screwed on straight. They are handing out money left and right. I think they should supply our military with appropriate equipment to get through this godawful war.
Glad someone else sees what I am say :D

yes, but we have gange issues that are starting to get worse. Where are the resources to educate people and those in the gangs? Or, how about a family where the parents are making top dollars or the one is the bread winner, loses his/her job and therefore the family goes spiraling downward? I know of someone personally who had a beautiful home and a great job and his wife stayed home taking care of their 2 children. He lost his job (along w/ everyone else) and he has tried to work 2 or more jobs and their suffering. People who suffer like this are not always just lazy asses who don't want to work or are not making the effort to try to pick themselves up. What about healthcare costs? Do you know how many Americans are w/out healthcare b/c it's just too damn expensive? What about more programs for teenage pregnancy, domestic abuse, child abuse, etc.

And no, I dont think the victims families of 911 should of gotten that money.

There's so much going on out there and what we see on tv or in the news is only the tip of the iceberg.

Those countries have their own issues. What about the 3rd world countries where their children are starving to death and dying b/c they don't have the funds to provide for medical or nurishment? Those children are buried into the ground w/ no gravestone. It's like they never existed. What about the women being killed or abused? What about having programs and assistance for them?

I could go on and on....

It's like I said in a few posts back, who are we all really protecting? When it comes down to it, its your ass your trying to cover. Not the thousands of troops or the people in the country.
As for the gangs their mamas should have busted their ASS when the shit started and we wouldn't be where we are now!

ok, you cant make everyone happy, but blowing a huge wad of cash on such things as unmanned fighter jets instead of research on bioterrorist agents/stengthening the economy/healthcare etc isn't exactly going to help things IMO. It's like playing [I]Risk[/] - if you send out all of your little men, you leave your territory vunerable. Same with the budget - if you blow too much on international affairs, you risk leaving the country vunerable.
Ok I don't see the problem with unmanned fighter jets either
Atleast if it is shot down in war some woman didn't loose her husband and some child their father or a mother their son etc....
I don't consider it "blowing a wad of money"
But then You ladies haven't physically had anyone on the ground over there have you?

Okay, I have nothing really to add to this except that I agree with Stephanie and (oddly enough) I agree with Breezy.
Awh
thanks Jen ;)
See I am not ALWAYS bad:P

Didn't realize you ladies had ended this :oops

Look at the size of the chinese army and how much their expanding and you have your answer. America is quickly becoming a second rate world power.

-Phil

Breezy you rock chick! Totally agree with ya.

There are other issues in the US that need to be dealt with. But how do you give someone morals with a government check?? Like gang members, teen whores (not every teen parent is one... dont get me wrong, I was one myself) I dont want my money going to them. :screwy

Health insurance YES! We need better health care all around. For everyone. Even medicade ect.

I'm not saying that I agree with the budgeting, but they're probably thinking farther in the future than Iraq. Bush has already indicated that he would be prepared to take on Iran and Korea because of their nuclear programs - I think he's just making sure the military are prepared.


I was thinking the exact same thing

Oh, and I totally agree with Breezy.

Like Breezy, don't get me started since I have my husband getting ready even as we speak to head over there as part of the ground force.

I was so busy today that I didn't see this thread continue - but since it has - I don't think I could ever say that we are spending too much on our troops. But hey that's just me.

I don't think I could ever say that we are spending too much on our troops. But hey that's just me.

Girl, that's me too!!! I think our troops are worth it!

Ok I don't see the problem with unmanned fighter jets either
Atleast if it is shot down in war some woman didn't loose her husband and some child their father or a mother their son etc....
I don't consider it "blowing a wad of money"
But then You ladies haven't physically had anyone on the ground over there have you?
whoa honey, dont take it personally! I'm not saying that their lives arent important, I'm saying that the President is ignoring other factors, like emerging bioterrorist threats, and just throwing the money at weaponry. I understand why he's spending so much money on defence, I just think he could be distributing it more wisely.

I'm also entitled to have an opinion, wether or not I have a loved one in Iraq. Please dont attack me because it differs from yours.

I don't think he's ignoring it. He just isn't making his plans known. I think everything is planned for somehow.

My husband has been on the ground in Iraq and I believe that we are definitely spending too much money on defense. Maybe if I felt like we were diligently working on becoming less dependent on other countries for oil and manufacturing needs I would feel differently. I am seriously concerned about the international impression of the United States - we're not going to be able to take on the whole world, but we act as though that's our best viable option. We need to start working on developing some better diplomacy.

Also, if I felt like the money was being spent to protect the troops (investing in kevlar helmets, getting them the bullet-proof vests, etc.), I might feel better about it. I don't feel like that's where the money is going.

whoa honey, dont take it personally! I'm not saying that their lives arent important, I'm saying that the President is ignoring other factors, like emerging bioterrorist threats, and just throwing the money at weaponry. I understand why he's spending so much money on defence, I just think he could be distributing it more wisely.

I'm also entitled to have an opinion, wether or not I have a loved one in Iraq. Please dont attack me because it differs from yours.
I wasn't attacking you never pointed you out. So please don't take it that way.
This is in debate so we are all entitled to our opinions!

Also, if I felt like the money was being spent to protect the troops (investing in kevlar helmets, getting them the bullet-proof vests, etc.), I might feel better about it. I don't feel like that's where the money is going.
Well it was just on the news at the beiginning of the year they they are buying the vest with the extra plates and such and helmets etc.. After seeing what my dh was wearing cause I did watch him pack and got pics of him while there I definately want him more protected cause there wasn't much there.

I wasn't attacking you never pointed you out. So please don't take it that way.
This is in debate so we are all entitled to our opinions!
Sorry, I must've misinterpreted the fact that you had directly quoted me in your response.

If you are refering to the wad of cash and the unmanned plane I don't see how it was attacking you. SOrry if it seemed that way.
My point was and still is on the unmanned plane, they are doing the same with the Navy they have boats on trials right now that are mainly computered operated and have very few humans on board.

It was more the 'But then You ladies haven't physically had anyone on the ground over there have you?' that I took a little personally. You seemed to infer that the girls that dont have a SO on the ground wont have a valid opinion.

I'm going to leave it there, the last thing I want is an argument.

It was more the 'But then You ladies haven't physically had anyone on the ground over there have you?' that I took a little personally. You seemed to infer that the girls that dont have a SO on the ground wont have a valid opinion.

I'm going to leave it there, the last thing I want is an argument.
Well I do personally believe that once you have had a loved on over there your opinions differ etc... Knowing what little protection they have etc..
I have had my dh over there twice since the war started so yeah I feel they need more protection etc.. That is MY opinion. You are entitled to yours. Never said you HAD to have a loved one over there but you may have different opinions etc if you have/did. Never said that you don't have a valid opinion cause again this is a DEBATE forum!
No way in hell is everybody going to agree!! God if we did it would be one boring freaking world!
So apparently I have offended you and that was not my intention but I will not appolagize for having MY OPINION!

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20060206-1059-budget.html