I support all efforts to cut wasteful or unnecessary programs and reform every department in the government to make them more efficient. We simply cannot have all parts of our government growing in perpetuity with no checks on the spending levels.
“Our citizens have spoken, and they want a defense budget that is sufficient to address the challenges of today and the threats of tomorrow. One percent real growth in the base defense budget over the next five years is a net reduction for modernization efforts which are critical to protecting our nation’s homeland,” continued McKeon.
So, did you get that? We’ve got to root out waste, fraud and abuse in every level and layer of government, in things like education and health & social services, but when it comes to Defense we’re going to increase spending even higher than the rate Obama wants to increase it. Indeed, we’re going to reverse responsible cuts being made right now by SecDef Robert Gates….a Republican!
Must be nice to be McKeon. All throughout the spring, summer and fall you cynically play to the Tea Party, bleating on and on about the reds spending the nation into oblivion. Then, the day after you’re re-elected, you announce you’re going to see to it that the Defense Department is not only exempted from “belt tightening,” you’re going to jack up the appropriations heading toward the famous five sided building.
In their gushing endorsement of Congressman McKeon last month, The Signal pined for this very scenario, saying McKeon defense pork “should greatly benefit the growing SCV aerospace sector.” That may be true and all, but, for goodness sakes, let’s just come out and say it: Buck McKeon is no fiscal conservative. He’s advocating big spending increases when the voters have clearly spoken for austerity and deficit reduction. He’s also likely to fight the President as he draws down troops on that expensive boondoggle happening in Afghanistan, a place where two fine young SCV men gave their lives this year.
At least he’s consistent on one thing. He said in the same release today that he and other Republicans, now that they’re in charge, are “committed to passing a National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 that is not weighed down by the current majority’s social agenda items.”
And so the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which would allow gay Americans to serve in the military openly, will die an ignominious death by the hand of our 72 year old cowboy Congressman who has never served.
Bring on the redistricting.
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