"The Arctic Threat from Russia" Topic

…"Vladimir Putin has been acting increasingly irrationally," said Mr Leblanc, who for years oversaw troops and early warning systems in Canada's northern territories. "When an enemy starts to act irrationally, you need to make sure the defences of your own country are up to par. In the Canadian Arctic, that's a problem – we haven't done enough."…

BBC: link

Seems to be a recurring theme of "Oh, we have to spend on defense?"

I would say the primary function of government, is the defense of the Country. #1, overriding all else. Weak governments and weak militaries, invite challenge and attack. Our country, along with many others, have lost sight of that and instead, have placed social engineering and green agendas ahead of the common defense. We have had too many cries of non military crises in our country.

"Crisis is the rallying cry of the tyrant"…James Madison

Claiming the US has lost sight of defense is reaching a little bit. $770 USD Billion on defense each year which is 10% of Federal government expenditure and 3.7% of GDP is not insignificant. It is over three times what China spends and over twelve times what Russia spends.

Leadership is where the U.S. is lacking. Our military leaders seem to be more concerned about implementing social programs than warfighting. Our civilian leadership…well, I'll just stop now.

@Martin, Yes it is a lot. But we have multiple major foes. China, Russia, only 1 major foe. Us.

That money as the Choctaw states, is wasted on much. Social engineering, unproven green technologies, diversity training, rooting out of "right wing boogie men", other even more ridiculous things.

Military readiness, component military officers, (not based on their skin color, gender or sexual orientation) , maintenance of existing weapons, development of new and better weapons. That is what should be the priorities.

I agree there is waste. Examples include:
$23 USD Billion on 3 Bradley replacement prototype projects that went nowhere.
$22 USD Billion on Zumwalt destroyer
$30 USD Billion on the LCS program.
$43 USD Bilion on KC46
$125 USD Billion on admin costs
The whole cost plus payment system that rewards cost over-runs for suppliers.
The whole cost of the F35 program could be an interesting debate.

Put into context General Miley sent a letter to the armed services committee stating that the armed services spent an additional $1 USD Million dollars in 2021 on training devoted to programs attempting to counter extremism and promoting diversity.

If we are looking for a more efficient use of tax payer dollars, worrying about diversity training is a bit like worrying about dropping a penny on the side walk while someone has just stolen your life savings from the bank.

Agreed. Those responsible should be canned. Also pinpoint those whose States, stocks or industries benefited. The government is nose deep in bureaucracy and paperwork! Redundant, wasteful and ridiculous.
Maybe send those responsible to the front lines in the Ukraine. Let them see what the military is really for. 😉

I think thank a missing item is those programs were actively lobbied for by the defense industry who also saw that politicians got money for their campaigns. They also provide second careers for Generals and Admirals who spent their careers working on these programs.

Also China and Russia are not friends.

And I stand by what I said. Sack and punish them. Promote those who can and oust those who can't. Vote out the politicians. We need term limits in this Country anyway. No more careers of milking the taxpayers teat! We should have no place for those who make a life out of doing that, straight out of College. Leads to nothing but graft and weak leadership.

There will be those who disagree, but that is my view.

Also China and Russia are not friends.

That's not what they said recently.

Leadership is where the U.S. is lacking. Our military leaders seem to be more concerned about implementing social programs than warfighting. Our civilian leadership…well, I'll just stop now.

Agreed … but yes I'll just stop now too …

Claiming the US has lost sight of defense is reaching a little bit. $770 USD USD Billion on defense each year which is 10% of Federal government expenditure and 3.7% of GDP is not insignificant. It is over three times what China spends and over twelve times what Russia spends.

US includes things like breast cancer research and diversity training in our defense budget. It's not the million dollars it's the time wasted on diversity. Time that could have been spent on actual military things. The president was worried about pregnancy uniforms recently for soldiers.

Those are unnecessary distractions. Focus on the core mission of the military. A recent report said 50% of female soldiers could not pass the physical fitness test. How's the diversity working out?

We spend a lot more also because we pay a lot more. I suspect an American private makes more than an Chinese general. And our retirements are large and come out of the defense budget. About 1/4th of our military budget is pay and retirements.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek

LOL Bill if you were if you were one or the other, would you really believe that?