Since 2001, the federal government has spent close to $1 trillion on wars overseas. Nearly 70 percent of that has gone toward the war in Iraq.
After a major economic recession beginning in late 2008 federal spending has been carefully examined. This includes our country’s seemingly sacrosanct defense spending. Surprisingly, United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates is now looking to trim U.S military spending.
President Barack Obama reappointed Gates, who originally served under former President George W. Bush. Gates is known for honoring his policy speeches. He said, “When I devote a lot of my time to it, these things tend to get done.”
After his reappointment, he vowed to stay through the end of 2010.
Gates hopes to trim the $547 billion Pentagon base budget by $15 billion, $5 billion more than previously planned. These cuts will force the Pentagon to monitor spending habits, while not limiting them in making improvements.
After the Sept. 11 attacks, according to Gates, defense spending nearly doubled — not including the spending on Iraq and Afghanistan. This type of recklessness has, of course, already been halted. “The gusher [of defense spending] has been turned off and will stay off for a good period of time,” Gates said.
Gates, whose term technically ends this year — he could stay longer — noted that a priority for his next few months in office is to compress a hierarchical military-command structure. He also wants to do away with military agencies that have a lesser role in literally fighting our nation’s wars.
During his speech this past Saturday, which is when he announced to trim military spending, Gates continuously referred to former President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s caution to spend nothing more than is necessary to protect Americans.
Although one of Gates’ targets is the spending on health care for the armed forces, he reassured people that he does not plan to take funding away from the care of soldiers and veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This is a reasonable decision. Nonetheless, it’s not apparent to the Daily 49er why veterans of any war should be singled out as priority. Unless, of course, if this is a political move. If anything, health care for soldiers and veterans should continue to be improved overall.
Gates, as a civil servant, carries a remarkable résumé with regard to his proposed policies. Over the past three and a half years he has started the military spending weight-loss program. Within that time, according to him, he has cut 30 weapons programs that would have cost taxpayers $330 billion.
Gates seems to understand that just because we are in a war, there is no reason to run wild with weapon improvements. Modernization of our military can come without excessive spending, and though we might be the world’s most powerful military power, we must be the wisest as well.
Although Gates said he hoped for his savings plan to take effect in the 2010-11 budget — a budget that is already being debated in Congress — due to the magnitude of the cuts he has proposed, these will probably not come into effect until the 2011-12 budget plan. However, there is a possibility that he will not be in office when these cuts are put into place.
Gates, though not the only defense secretary to have proposed cuts to military spending, should be saluted for his efforts to not only ensure that Americans are safe and secure, but also because of his efforts to produce a reasonable defense budget.
That increase of $15 billion cut that he has proposed could be put into crucial use, especially in other agencies where we lack funding. Imagine if $1 billion was allocated to the California State University system — we wouldn’t have to worry about fee increases for quite a while.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.