There is waste, there’s no doubt about it. What defines “excessive,” however, is a matter of opinion. You apparently base your opinions on anecdotes and half-truths. Any large organization is going to have waste. Throw in the politics of military spending (congress pushing for programs that the military doesn’t want), and the problem is compounded.
I’m not calling you ignorant to make myself feel good; I’m saying you’re ignorant about the military based on your lack of subject knowledge. I’m not using the word as a pejorative. I’ve told you that there are many things that I am ignorant about. That holds true for everybody. No one has universal knowledge. Stop looking for an insult where none was intended.
Twenty-four years service in the United States Navy, among other things.
Did you click on the link I provided in post #215? Start there. Go back and read previous posts where others have attempted to educate you, but you have apparently ignored.
I disagree. I think we should have the strongest, best-trained and best-outfitted military in the world, because I believe that’s how peace and security for all is ensured.
@zoosermom the pentagon runs 234 golf courses around the world, they own a 80 million ski resort in the alps, four star general kip ward used government money for a bermuda vacation and used military cars and drivers to take his wife on shopping and spa excursions. He traveled with up to 13 staff members. I guess yours and my definition of best outfitted military is different.
Please don’t even get me started on how much taxpayer money Obama spends on family vacations…
So you don’t believe the government can handle money responsible within a military budget, what makes you think they’d spend it more responsibly in an education budget or that any money they’d take away from the military will actually make it to spending on higher education? Look at social security, the government doesn’t a have good track record of spending money where they say they will.
As to
I have no problem with that as long as no one is asking me to pay for it. I know many kids that wear designer clothes and crazy expensive sneakers, good for them, but don’t ask me to pay for it!
the government already subsidizes instate and community college options
states provide funding for disabled students
low income students have Pell Grants and subsidized loans
academically talented kids have merit scholarships
athletically talented kids have athletic scholarships
kids that are willing to work for the greater good of society have various loan forgiveness programs
wealthy kids can go to prestigious full pay at high priced privates so those schools can give scholarships to low income students
It up to the students to figure out where to go that their family can best afford, it’s not up to students to demand that the tax payers pay for them to go to what ever school they want to go to.
You forgot about the hotel on Waikiki (http://www.halekoa.com/), and also one at Disney World (http://www.shadesofgreen.org/). You too can take advantage of these things, if you want to serve your country. Now ask yourself this question: after the fees that are collected for the use of these facilities, how much do they cost the taxpayer every year? You can get back to me with the answer.
General Ward was disciplined for his indiscretions. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was forced to pay back the cost of the unauthorized expenses. He travelled with staff because he was the commander of a large military command. Are you saying that he shouldn’t have been supported in the (legitimate) work that he was doing?
Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs are an integral part of the military pay and benefits package and they ensure high quality, consistent community support. Programs are classified into three categories that determine how they are funded: mission-essential programs, community support programs and revenue generators.
Program highlights
Category A - Mission-essential programs, funded almost entirely with appropriated funds, include fitness, sports, libraries, single service member programs and deployment support. Warfighter and family support programs are now approved as category A, MWR activities at service discretion.
Category B - Community support programs, funded significantly with appropriated funds, include outdoor recreation, recreation centers, leisure tours and travel, auto hobby, child and youth development programs and skill development programs.
Category C - Revenue generators, funded almost entirely with nonappropriated funds, include food, beverage, entertainment, military clubs, golf courses, bowling centers, marinas and gaming machines.
Tiger, I come from a military family. I know how hard, financially and logistically, it can be for military families at every level to access luxuries that most people take for granted. There is plenty of waste in the military, but recreational opportunities are not that.
You are right General Ward was disciplined. His pension will only be $18,000 per month. How will he be able to handle it? The sense of entitlement by the military when they get challenged on their spending is unfathomable.
The military is not the only ones who serve their country Teachers serve their country. Firefighters serve their country. Doctors serve their country. Policemen serve their country. Maybe the government should build a ski resort in the alps for teachers What do you think @belknappoint?
Check your sources on that monthly pension figure, because it’s not accurate. The discipline included a reduction in rank, which means that pension benefits were reduced. Over the course of a long retirement, that adds up to a lot of forfeited money.
Please provide examples of this “sense of entitlement.”
I think that’s a great idea, except guess what? Teachers employed by DoD (and firefighters, and doctors, and policemen) already get to use the existing ski resort! Imagine that - no need to build another one!
@zoosermom NO Firefighters and policemen are probably in more danger than the military if that is your argument. I value all people who serve their country? Do you not think that firemen serve their country?
I guess firemen dont work on 41 million dollar gas stations or 11 billion dollar annual budgets for planes that have never been flown so that is a difference
[sarcasm]Yes, because firefighters and cops in the U.S. are continually at risk of being attacked by an opposing force trying to kill them with automatic weapons, artillery, tanks, mortars and IEDs.[/sarcasm]
Really, do you think about the stuff you write before you actually hit the “Post Comment” button?
Don’t make assumptions about what someone else was thinking.
Firefighters and police have freedom to move, freedom to quit, do not get deployed to the bowels of hell for months or years at a time, aren’t separated from their families for months or years at a time.
Our military is what allows all of us to have our freedom of choice and speech, but we do need to be some incentive for people to make that choice. They aren’t monks and they aren’t conscripts. They are professionals and should be compensated accordingly and receive perks - most professionals receive perks in their jobs.
Teachers, firefighters, doctors and police can quit any time they like. You have a commitment in the military, and might be sent to prison if you decide you aren’t going to fulfill it. You have also made the commitment to give your life for your country, if needed. You can be disciplined for an entire host of things that civilians take for granted. Free speech? What’s that? Choose where you live? I don’t think so, we’re going to move you and deploy you wherever and whenever we want to. We might make you do a job you hate, because the needs of the military come first.
Then again, there are some who think people in the military are like mindless robots. Shut up and go die when it’s needed, you have no right to be concerned about your family, your income or your health. And by the way, if you manage to stay alive, pay for my college too.
"You forgot about the hotel on Waikiki (http://www.halekoa.com/), and also one at Disney World (http://www.shadesofgreen.org/). You too can take advantage of these things, if you want to serve your country. Now ask yourself this question: after the fees that are collected for the use of these facilities, how much do they cost the taxpayer every year? "
Hale Koa, meh. Halfway decent hotel, not that cheap, you have to book way ahead of time. Drinks about $1 cheaper there, but I think people book there because they believe they’re getting a great deal and like to be around other military. I’m sure that place turns a profit, it’s always packed.
@belknappoint can you please tell us how many military personnel today are engaged in hostile combat? And how many policeman today put their life on the line when they go out on patrol? FYI firefighters are usually first on the scene of an emergency when 911 is called.