Spending more makes us less safe

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I watched NOW last night and the Moyers interview with Chick Spinney was excellent and damning. You can access the Transcript of Spinney Interview and read it for yourself (assuming you didn't see the program). Spinney went onat some length on the military-Congressional-industrial complex and how it works (and how it evolved). He also discussed that we were spending way too much on the Military and how that makes us less safe.

It makes us less safe because 1) what we are buying largely doesn't work, and 2) what we are buying is inappropriate to stop terrorist activity. It is however good for the military contractors who get LOTS of money. It is good for high up military and Pentagon folks who rotate into lucrative positions with those same contractors. It is good for elected representatives who get more money flowing into their districts (sometimes) and more campaign funds. However, it is not good for the public who thinks they are being protected when they are not. It is not good for our soldiers who get equipment that doesn't work and may (and has) cost them their lives.

Spinney also brought out the new implementation plan being used by Rumsfeld and Co. - the spiral development plan. Essentially this means that untested equipment is placed in the field and "the bugs" are worked out on the fly. WHy pay all that money developing and testing? Heck, if it doesn't work what is lost? Just a few working class and lower personnel's lives. I'm sure that the dramatic over representation in the troops of those from poverty and working class environments has nothing to do with the lack of concern expressed by folks like Rumsfeld.

Chuck Spinney knows what he is talking about. He just retired from 30 years of being an analyst for the Pentagon. He also has his own most excellent website Defense and the National Interest -- get your milk and cookies and sit down for a long read.

NOW also has some good links on the defense budget at Useful sites - Defense Links

Posted by rowan at August 2, 2003 03:37 PM | Printable Version | [eMail this article!] |