Quote (Black XistenZ @ 18 Jan 2018 21:42)
well, you have to keep in mind that all the military spending is also a form of job program, particularly for the uneducated folks. several million american families depend on military jobs, with many of them having rather grim job prospects on the regular job market. in the same mold, a lot of the military spending is actually research funding in disguise.
so yes, the US military budget absolutely is overinflated, and significant cuts could be made without big consequences (except for the profits of the military-industrial complex). but cutting the military budget by one third or even by half? that wouldnt be possible without causing a surge in unemployment, poverty and a reduction of the pace at which new technologies are rolled out.
i thought as much as well, however even with my very limited military experience i know how expensive maintenance is
http://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-us-military-spends-its-billions-2015-8?IR=T
the oversized navy and their aircraft supercarriers as well as aircraft systems all over the world, thats whats really breaking the bank here
if you make a decent plan to phase out certain operations and weapons systems, redistribute personnel for other productive things (there are plenty), stop replacing retired soldiers and more i think you can do it
research and development can remain untouched as far as i am concerned
of course the military industry will have to settle with less orders and money and the state would need some creativity to deal with the situation
not gonna happen anyway, but the us certainly cant continue like this in the long run