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Ah yes, the thin line between order and worldwide anarchy hinges on the robustness of our Joint Forces Command.

We're going to spend our way to free health care. Just like we're taking care of illegal immigration by leaving the borders wide open. Reverse psychology. How is this not an item of concern for him when he works for an administration that is about to fight tooth and nail to pass a $26 billion teacher jobs bill? "Yeah, we've got to cut $240 million in defense spending, but we need to add $26 billion to the budget...But don't you worry, my precious snowflakes, it's already paid for. We promise." Maybe everyone getting ousted in Norfolk can become a teacher...It'll be easy: just pass a $150 billion government employee cross training bill. Budget rescued, problem solved.

How else are we gonna afford free health care for all the poor people?

Stars and Stripes link While I'll hold my opinion on the cutting of the command, I will say that it's refreshing that we're finally taking aim at budget target that will actually make a difference rather than trying to nickle and dime massive amounts of smaller areas.

1. President Obama and Secretary Gates have increased troop levels in Afghanistan from 26,500 (in May 2006) to 68,000 (current) (over double). 2. They both have also increased the number of predator drone attacks both in country (Iraq & Afghanistan) and out (Pakistan). -- Indeed, lately these strikes have stirred up quite a bit of controversy: Does the president have the power to execute a targeted killing on a U.S. Citizen abroad without due process? Can he authorize the military (or CIA) to terminate a person without knowing their name? The former is still being debated. The latter has occurred and will continue to occur. EDIT: I should say: Can the president authorize those killings OUTSIDE a warzone (ie: Pakistan). Obviously war is war, but we're not at war with Pakistan... 3. President Obama (like his predecessor) has not vetoed a defense spending bill that contained a raise greater than the ECI (Employment Cost Index) when congress presented it to him. In other words, the military has enjoyed a raise 0.5% greater than inflation in the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009. Bottom Line: I haven't seen much information about President Obama reducing the military in any significant manner. In fact, this is the FIRST article I've seen that includes any major cuts. In many aspects he has EXPANDED the use of the military. To the few that knocked the health care bill (not you Raptor08): As far as health care, when you have a family member that requires significant long term care and witness first hand how much that care costs, you'll better understand why we needed SOME sort of health care reform... Is the legislation perfect? ###### no... Hardly any piece of legislation is (at least the 500+ page shits that congress tends too poop out nowadays). But, at least it is a start! Some interesting links: Death and Taxes (a poster describing the federal budget): http://www.deathandtaxesposter.com/ Immigration Cartoon (a cartoon describing the immigration process): http://img693.imageshack.us/i/immigration764383.jpg/ Just some food for thought. I know Death and Taxes is fairly accurate. As far as that immigration cartoon, I haven't fact checked it.

Didn't mean to thread hijack, but I recall a certain document allowing for federal common defense and promoting general welfare... This just seems like robbing one to pay for an obscured view of the other.

I'm starting to think Obama and Gates don't even want a military. Why not just retire everything and simply "talk" our way out of all future conflicts? [/sarcasm]

This goes a lot farther than the title of the thread.