Defense

As progressives call for cuts to defense spending, a big challenge in doing so is addressing job losses that come with eliminating weapons programs. The number of jobs at stake can often be a powerful argument for defense supporters that cannot be ignored. The recent fight over the F-22 and its production in over 40 states is a clear example. But there is a remedy. more »

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Recently reported in the New York Times, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) hopes to win Senate support for climate change legislation by linking global warming with national security. Long time hawk and former Sen. more »

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As I’ve written prior, the very expensive F-22 fighter jet program will likely end when Congress passes the defense authorization later this year. Its demise though came only after a hard fight between the Obama administration and Congress. more »

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Ignoring earlier recommendations of the Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, the 2010 defense bill throws funding lifelines to failed weapons systems slated to be cut. Resisting the call to reform, the House Armed Services Committee showcased their protection of the defense lobby instead. more »

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A new novel, "2044," starts where George Orwell’s 1984 left off. The problem is Big Brother Inc., not Big Brother. The government didn’t take over. It got taken over. 2044 follows the pattern to the endpoint.

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The Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act sponsored by Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and John McCain (R-AZ) was intended to improve the Pentagon’s acquisition process, fraught with nearly $300 billion in cost overruns on 95 major weapons systems. more »

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Secretary of Defense Robert Gates released on Monday a proposal to reform the Pentagon budget by modestly cutting a few weapons programs, but stopped well short of slashing the bloated Pentagon budget. Though when surveying the reaction among mainstream media and conservatives, one would think radical change was coming — a sort of Pentagon doomsday.

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Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced Monday a proposal to reform the defense budget by cutting or scaling back some major weapons programs and strengthening oversight of the acquisitions process. The recommendations made by the Secretary should be applauded, but it is only a small step to curb defense spending. Looking forward the budget for FY 2010 and beyond maintain current levels of funding, without pressuring the Pentagon to make substantial cuts. Instead, it appears the Administration is relying on the Pentagon to trim spending and end waste on its own. If the past is any indicator, this approach won’t work. more »

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