We need a WAR ON WAR SPENDING, not a freeze on social programs in a time of crisis. nt

from firedoglake:

Gates Pledges “Steady Growth in the Pentagon’s Budgets”
By: Jacob Freeze Sunday January 24, 2010 9:24 pm

From Politico…

Defense Secretary Robert Gates hosted a meeting with the nation’s top defense company executives Wednesday, stressing the need for a closer partnership with them and pledging to work with the White House to secure steady growth in the Pentagon’s budgets over time, according to his spokesman.

Gates’s meeting was part of a day-long session between Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn, Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter and the Aerospace Industries Association, the top trade group for American aerospace firms. The heads of the nation’s top two defense firms – Lockheed Martin and Boeing – attended, said Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell.

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"work with the White House to secure STEADY GROWTH in the Pentagon's budgets..."

Folks, war spending is the elephant in the room. Freezing domestic spending while ignoring military spending is insane. The budget for the military went up 11% from 2008 to 2009 and that DID NOT INCLUDE THE IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN wars.

President Obama, you want to do something significant about the deficit? QUIT FUNDING ILLEGAL WARS IN THE MID EAST.

Put the "War on War Spending" on the agenda, ASAFP, please. It's worth at least debating.

If the choice is between Social Security and funding two illegal, immoral and unnecessary wars -- along with a planet-wide garrison of military bases -- more than the AARP will come down on the side of Social Security.