As Americans prepare for a substantial change in the political composition of the U.S. Congress after the November elections, national security must not fall victim to a meat- clever approach to defense spending. In the days ahead of the mid-term elections, it seems all but certain that Republicans will pick many seats in House of Representatives and the Senate. Reflecting this sea change will be efforts to cut federal spending on a range of programs–a major plank in the political platforms of most Republican and Tea Party candidates. Reining in Washington’s galloping deficit spending and ballooning debt will rank at the top of priorities when the new Congress convenes in January.
Slashing out-of-control spending is an absolute must if the United States is to continue to play a leading global role. As in most things, however, the devil is the details of what to reduce and by how much. Defense budgets will be under scrutiny by the left which perennially hates all things military and by the new right which longs for fiscal austerity at home and for fewer responsibilities abroad. The Pentagon’s spending, it is fair to say, might well be reduced. Tighter spending can lead to prudent expenditures, and should be applauded. But drastic or ill-advised decrease in ships, planes, weapons, troop strength, and innovation will only come back to haunt the nation as it faces perilous times ahead.
A nuclear-armed Iran, a provocative China, and a spreading terrorist threat will require a range of defense measures.
The Gross Domestic Product spent on defense today is 4.9 percent, which includes supplemental appropriations, is well below the 5.8 percent in 1988, Ronald Reagan’s last year in office. And current Pentagon outlays as a percent of GDP are half of Dwight Eisenhower’s figures, a president long considered a foe of the “military-industrial complex.” Military spending encompasses about 23 percent of the annual federal budget, the bulk of which is devoted to mandated social programs.
Cross-the-board cuts in the federal budge will be viewed as necessary medicine to cure Washington’s acute spending disease. But what will be called from the new Congress will be a level of statesmanship not readily seen on the Hill. They will have to zero in what promotes the “common defense.” Our representatives will be called upon to rise above “district-itis” and to vote for defense programs that further the national security rather than specific constituents in their home districts. One thing that gives some hope is the level of attention and concern among the electorate this voting season. Let’s hope that people stay tuned in at the same level shown over the past several months. And, more importantly, let’s trust that voters look for smart Congressional decisions about our security as well as drastic reductions in our expenditures.
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