Sequestration: Cuts to Defense Are Puny, Won’t Hurt Economy or Security

Via Matthew Feeney at Reason, The Washington Post has some nice charts up about US “defense” spending.

The first illustrates the oft-quoted factoid that the US spends as much on defense as most major countries in the world combined.

It’s a powerful image that really undercuts those in Washington who perpetually inflate the threats we face abroad (and sometimes simply invent them). But note the measurement of US military spending is the more traditional amount acknowledged in federal budgets. Broader measurements which take into account all kinds of spending on the national security state put the number at about $1 trillion or above.

Putting this graphical dichotomy into context, most politicians from both parties have been screaming bloody murder (no pun intended) about the relatively minor cuts to defense included in the sequestration deal. The worst case scenario for the Pentagon budget is about $500 billion in cuts over the course of ten years. Which isn’t really a cut at all – it’s a reduction in the rate of growth in defense spending.

And that might even be putting it generously. As Feeney notes, the Mercatus Center’s Veronique de Rugy has crunched the numbers and concludes, “After sequestration, the FY 2013 defense budget will be comparable to its FY 2006 level (in real terms). Adjusted for inflation, over the next ten years, the spending is projected to remain relatively constant.”

The next graph specifies how Washington allocates its defense dollars and shows that, as Feeney writes, “engaging in war happens to be expensive. ”

The minuscule defense cuts being contemplated could easily target areas of waste. The major source of growth in annual defense budgets since 2001 has been mostly due to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, much of the rest has been spent on wasteful superfluous weapons technology, bloated salaries and benefits plans, and expensive peacetime operating costs for the 900-plus military bases in 130-plus countries around the world.

“But what about jobs!?” ask those unwilling to cut. Well, defense spending is not a jobs program. At least, it’s not supposed to be. As far as the health of the economy is concerned, defense budgets are a net drain.

Via the Cato Institute’s Malou Innocent, this study from the Center for International Policy finds that “Pentagon spending is an especially poor job creator” compared to “virtually any other use of the same money, from a tax cut to investments in infrastructure to spending on education.”

Warnings of doom to the economy, or to national security, are groundless scare stories coming from the groups of people who benefit most from the government’s most lucrative and deadly welfare program.

55 thoughts on “Sequestration: Cuts to Defense Are Puny, Won’t Hurt Economy or Security”

  1. It seems that all Presidents in the US have same perception about defense and military power. Both factors are most important for creating a wealth country they are dreaming about. Is that right?

    Please imagine if Mr Obama tries to changes his policy. If he cuts at least 20% military budget how many people in the US could have better life?

  2. Here is yet another proof.., US is a military regime so its social politics and economy needs to spend $711billion to stay as a militarism regime which answeres the question…, why USA is at war all the time…? Because…..

  3. Hi, its pleasant piece of writing regarding media print, we
    all understand media is a fantastic source of information.

  4. SEO is reputed name in online marketing arena. It effective and efficient to reach of your business goal though all website owners are want to receive of its services but nowadays have become some changes in this area due top Google updating. Thanks!

  5. There are questions in my mind, which are always left unanswered. This is one of those.

    Why do any country have to invest so much in attacking others? Not only the money is being invested, you are also putting the life of a military officer under jeopardy.

  6. Yes, it is true that US spends as much on defense as most major countries in the world combined. Your writing is able to highlights the deep meaning about the US economy securities and Barack Obama change his police that is a remarkable look to us. But the U.S. economy and finance and share prices internet companies had the biggest drop in two years. Which is very remarkable look for us.

  7. Loans can be created for organizing, structure, in addition to operations associated with species of fish hatchery features, such as preconstruction pursuits needed to secure a permit, structure pursuits to make this hatchery center, in addition to fees to operate this center. budgetingarticles

  8. Facts and other points given here are quite considerable and to the point as well, would be so far better to look for more of these kind for having efficient results.

  9. Thankyou because of this pleasant content in this article, you understand that will health insurance and the health and fitness items are necessary to reside nutritious lifestyle. You should go to southchicagoveins to learn more and also guide.

  10. Thankyou with regard to giving that much better info. I'd like to express this having the pals in web 2 . 0. Make sure you be bring up to date with all your blog site, we are day-to-day individual of your respective website. appreciate once more.

  11. Thanks just for this wonderful post in this article, you realize in which health insurance and the conditioning items are necessary to live on nutritious lifetime. Remember to stop by buyusapeptides to find out more as well as assist.

  12. Thankyou with regard to giving this kind of far better details. I would really like to talk about this together with the close friends with social media marketing. Make sure you continue to be replace using your blog site, my business is regular end user of one's website. appreciate all over again.

  13. Thanks a lot just for this pleasant post the following, you already know in which mobile phones are extremely necessary for us all. You need to go to casemachine to read more along with assist.

  14. Strong Position of a country depends upon the Strong economy. Many countries have strong defense but its economy of those are unstable, Due to unstable economy such countries can't survive in the world. If economy of a country are strong and stable then the country meet defense expenses easily. political science dissertation

  15. Unlike any other breast reduction option, Gynexin has no side effects. It is made from natural ingredients and has been developed after years of research and trials. Apart from this, because it does not contain any synthetic contents in it, it is conveniently available without any prescription. It can be ordered online and only on the official website.

  16. How may you break a land coming from inside that is too sturdy for being smashed coming from with no? Some sort of land means your hardworking, legislation abiding, shoppers as well as staff that will drive your labor force along with the economy. Disregarding that will truth intended for 45 many years has had our own region for the edge regarding personal bankruptcy.

  17. Mounting evidence strongly suggests that the unregulated open-air burn pits used to incinerate everything from medical waste to batteries and rubber tires, has contributed to the fine particulate matter found carried in the dust,

  18. This afternoon I've read in your place, and quite interesting information submitted. If we are diligent reading will certainly add to the knowledge and insight. Thank you, continue to work.

  19. GoodThe highly-skilled and informed writers could full any kind of dissertation part you will need as well as the full cardstock to suit your needs. Also if you are pushed with time, you'll be able to relax knowing our staff connected with pros can full a fantastic dissertation ahead of ones final target time.

    ebook conversion services

  20. It’s hard to tell with these Internet start ups if they’re really interested in building companies or if they’re just interested in the money. I can tell you, though..go on here

  21. Position of a country depends upon the Strong economy. Many countries have strong defense but its economy of those are unstable, Due to unstable bu lông economy such countries can't survive in the world. If economy of a country are strong and stable then the country meet

  22. The potential for a public health crisis brought by the H1N1 pandemic has made some realize the risks of failing to conduct research involving pregnant women. It shouldn’t take a crisis to provoke this realization.buy xenical

Comments are closed.