(Rep. Barney) Frank envisions post-election stimulus from Democrats (and military cuts)

Source: The Standard-Times

NEW BEDFORD — After the November election, Democrats will push for a second economic stimulus package that includes money for the states' stalled infrastructure projects, along with help paying for healthcare expenses, food stamps and extended unemployment benefits, U.S. Rep. Barney Frank said Thursday.

In a meeting with the editorial board of The Standard-Times, Rep. Frank, D-Mass., also called for a 25 percent cut in military spending, saying the Pentagon has to start choosing from its many weapons programs, and that upper-income taxpayers are going to see an increase in what they are asked to pay.

The military cuts also mean getting out of Iraq sooner, he said.

"The people of Iraq want us out, and we want to stay over their objection," he said. "It's extraordinary." The Maliki government in Iraq "can't sell (the withdrawal deal with the U.S.) because it sounds like we're going to stay too long."

"I was teasing (U.S. Rep.) Jack Murtha (a key supporter of military budgets) and I said to him, 'For the first time, somebody else has got a bill that's almost as big as yours.' We don't need all these fancy new weapons. I think there needs to be additional review."


Read more: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081024/NEWS/810240332/-1/NEWS10

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The story is ostensibly about a stimulus package, but the story I like is cutting defense spending. It went from $300 Billion to $500 Billion under the Beast/Cheney government.

Cutting spending for the Iraq War is good, but there are a huge number of overpriced weapons systems that need to be cut. I cite: supersonic attack jets that will soon be obsoleted by pilotless airplanes, more nuclear subs "just because", "Star Wars" antimissile systems that don't work, etc.

The US spends way too much on spy satellites. We could get better intelligence with casual, covert observers on the ground. A few more interpreters would be golden. I say the satellite budget is to enrich the aerospace contractors.

Their missions tend to be different, though that's one area of the defense budget that will likely see an increase- because it's cheaper and more efficient to fly UAV's for a lot of purposes- like monitoring shipping or illegal fishing, for example, which is what the Aussies intend to purchase them for.

Aside from air superiority issues (continuing the F-22 procurement) the trouble is that many of the current aircraft are getting old and are increasingly expensive to maintain- not to mention dangerous to fly. Inevitably, they'll have to be replaced- cost effectively, with our allies.

It would be nice to see a focus on getting back to basics- and axing some of the pie in the sky things that aren't likely to work or bring spinoffs- like missile "defense" that's easily defeated by incoming dummies. I think it's a good bet that a lot of these programs are going to get a much closer look over the next several years.

I have not found much while googling up the story. What I really want is some talking points and details that I can write to my Republican congressman. He has taken advice to vote against some unneeded nuclear weapons programs, so there is hope. If you have anything, I am all ears. :)

I started a thread on this last week: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=399x56

Tear open the black budgets that all the services, but especially the Air Farce, have going and let the sun shine into them. These are massive sinkholes of expenditures, with little direct congressional oversight, and many exist to simply confer status upon the generals that squire them.

McCain's top economic adviser, Doug Holtz-Eakin, blithely supposes that cuts in defense spending could make up for reducing the corporate tax rate from 35% to 25% and the subsequent shrinkage in federal revenues. Get that? The national security candidate wants to cut spending on our national security. Wait until the generals and the admirals hear that.

Forbes, June 6, 2008
http://www.forbes.com/home/2008/06/06/obama-mccain-economy-oped-cx_rl_0609croesus.html?partner=rcp

most all other countries combined...Why is the "Home of the Brave" so scared of everything? I would rather the USA was loved than Feared.. I know that is the exact opposite of how Republicans feel but that makes it right IMO.