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“The Department of Defense cannot go to America’s elected representatives and ask for increases every year until we’ve done everything possible to make every dollar count.” (CNN)
Defense Secretary Robert Gates has a message for Washington — stop sending us so much money. He says to keep America’s troops funded, it’s time to cut the bloated budget and unnecessary generals — to the tune of $10 billion.
CNN’s Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr says change will be an uphill battle.
“The Pentagon is full of people with jobs you’re not too sure what they do, money being spent, weapons programs that are no longer needed. But, you know, all of this spending is approved by Congress and the political will to cut it, to challenge the lobbyists, is very tough.”
A writer for FireDogLake says Secretary Gates has his work cut out for him — taking on several powerful opponents — all at the same time.
“Legislators who never met a defense platform they wouldn’t throw money at. Pentagon bureaucrats and staff officers who never met a needless regulation they couldn’t cite...”
But if you follow the money trail, ABC’s David Kerley says the motivation behind Congress’ generous spending habits goes beyond patriotism.
KERLEY: “Take the C-17, Boeing spread the construction of this jet over 44 states. So when the Air Force and the president say they don’t need any more jets, lawmakers from 44 states say, ‘Yes, you do.’”
BURRIS: “How we going to be ready if we don’t have the C-17?”
Defense secretaries for the past 50 years have called for controlled spending, so a writer for Hot Air says —don’t expect changes long term.
“Congress is responsible for… applying fiscal restraint and accountability. However, since Congress refuses to apply those to itself, let alone the Pentagon, I’d assume that they will comply with the Pentagon’s request and roll back some of the pay increases in the short term.”
So do you think Gates makes a good argument? Will Congress listen?
Writer: Chance Seales
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