Obama Administration to Troops: Thanks for Your Service, Here's a Pay Cut!
It's a rare occurrence when the Pentagon asks Congress not to provide funds for the military.In fact it doesn't even sound realistic, but Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Pentagon Officials say a fiscal calamity is certain unless Congress stops or scales back the generous pay raises and benefits that our troops receive.I'm all for fiscal discipline... Hell, it's the reason why I'm a fiscal conservative, however the Pentagon is not looking to cut pay raises and benefits to create a surplus.No, they are worried that they won't have the necessary funds to buy and develop new weapons and take care of equipment.Obviously we need to stay ahead of Russia and the People's Republic of China when it comes to military dominance, however maybe Secretary Gates should be looking at the billions of dollars being wasted on pork projects like the development of the Joint Strike Fighter which has fallen so far behind schedule, with ludicrous cost overruns and redesigns that make this project reminiscent of the Bradley Fight Vehicle debacle.
One of the few things Congress has done right over the past decade has been the determination to take care of the troops and their families going as far as to overrule the Pentagon's decisions to cut pay raises.It also rejected the Pentagon's attempts to cut the amount of dollars going into military healthcare.Secretary Gates stated that these costs are "eating us alive," but again I ask, why don't you look to cut the money being wasted in pork projects.Perhaps Secretary Gates fails to realize that the pay, housing allowances, incentive pays, healthcare and educational benefits are the major factors for keeping the majority of the enlisted force from looking for potentially more lucrative jobs in the private sector.The fact of the matter is that there is no link between rising military personnel costs and lack of money for military readiness or fear of unfunded military weapons development.
I don't think I have ever agreed with a Congressperson from California, but Rep. Susan A. Davis (D-California) said, "The Pentagon needs to do a better job of setting priorities." I couldn't agree with her more.We all know the enlisted forces are the peons the military runs on to get things done on a day to day basis, but I don't believe I'm out of line by saying the Pentagon is throwing this into their faces by wanting to make these cuts.The Pentagon already cut a tuition assistance program for military spouses because they were overwhelmed with applicants and couldn't afford the program due to unexpected demand.Did Pentagon officials really believe that $61 million dollars would be enough for all the military spouses across the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines?Pentagon officials need to realize that throwing a dog a treat every once in awhile doesn't compare to feeding it three times a day every day.If you want to keep your troops happy and healthy, you can't cut corners.These people's families and livelihoods depend on the little pay they receive and their entitled benefits.
