Comments on: Deficits - Cut Defense http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/ The financial crisis of 2008 has ushered in a new facet of the “New Economy.” Whatever you say about the origins and course of this financial crisis, this new dramatic development will be a major influence in our economic future. I will discuss the financial crisis and where it has led us. I will then look at how this “New Economy” will affect your job prospects, investment strategies, retirement plans, personal finance. We are in an entirely new phase of our economic progress reinforced by a new administration coming into office. It will be exciting to some and of concern to others. But we all must understand it and use it to our advantage. — Leo Cecchini (Ethiopia 1962–64) Thu, 23 May 2013 22:28:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Leo Cecchini http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-531 Leo Cecchini Fri, 01 Feb 2013 12:33:37 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/#comment-531 Joanne. As a former "spin doctor" I know spin when I see it and all this clap trap ratonale for the economy contracting is just that. The economy contracted because we have still not seen a real "recovery." Suggest you see my blog, "Gas Fuels Recovery," for a possible way out of the miasma. Joanne. As a former “spin doctor” I know spin when I see it and all this clap trap ratonale for the economy contracting is just that. The economy contracted because we have still not seen a real “recovery.” Suggest you see my blog, “Gas Fuels Recovery,” for a possible way out of the miasma.

]]> By: Joanne Roll http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-530 Joanne Roll Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:13:48 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/#comment-530 The problem, Gentlemen, is that defense spending was cut in the fourth quarter. There are those who argue that reduction in federal government spending was a major factor in the economy's contraction last quarter. The economic consequences of the Hurricane Storm Sandy are given as a second cause for the unexpected contraction in the economy. The problem, Gentlemen, is that defense spending was cut in the fourth quarter. There are those who argue that reduction in federal government spending was a major factor in the economy’s contraction last quarter.

The economic consequences of the Hurricane Storm Sandy are given as a second cause for the unexpected contraction in the economy.

]]> By: Steve Cristofar http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-529 Steve Cristofar Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:15:34 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/#comment-529 Absolutely agree with you, Leo. We especially need to pull back on the defense "bulge" attributable to Iraq & Afghanistan. Absolutely agree with you, Leo. We especially need to pull back on the defense “bulge” attributable to Iraq & Afghanistan.

]]> By: Joey http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-528 Joey Sat, 26 Jan 2013 14:32:06 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/#comment-528 Leo, Thank you for clarifying your position. Now all that is left is to apologize for calling me a "defense hawk." Leo,

Thank you for clarifying your position. Now all that is left is to apologize for calling me a “defense hawk.”

]]> By: Leo Cecchini http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-527 Leo Cecchini Sat, 26 Jan 2013 08:41:48 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/#comment-527 Joey. My brother is a retired Air Force Colonel and we served together in Vietnam so I have a fair idea of the contribution of our military to world peace. Again, I do not criticize our defense spending but simply note that it is time to set new priorities for our government spending and defense is long overdue for reduction. And I am not alone in this, our last two Secretaries of Defense have stated this as has President Obama. Joey. My brother is a retired Air Force Colonel and we served together in Vietnam so I have a fair idea of the contribution of our military to world peace. Again, I do not criticize our defense spending but simply note that it is time to set new priorities for our government spending and defense is long overdue for reduction. And I am not alone in this, our last two Secretaries of Defense have stated this as has President Obama.

]]> By: Joey http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-526 Joey Sat, 26 Jan 2013 04:27:39 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/#comment-526 Leo, I will refrain from using the language that comes so easily to an army brat out of respect for the standards set here. I, however, am not a defense hawk. I just pointed out that you were unfair in making the comparison between the defense expenditures of our country and those of the other countries who have long enjoyed the benefits of our many sacrifices. If I were a defense hawk, I would have joined the military, not the Peace Corps. And, right now, could be enjoying a healthy government pension..perhaps sitting pretty on a foreign isle, safe and secure and criticizing my government from afar. No, on second thought, I don't think I would ever have the stomach to do that. Leo,
I will refrain from using the language that comes so easily to an army brat out of respect for the standards set here. I, however, am not a
defense hawk. I just pointed out that you were unfair in making the comparison between the defense expenditures of our country and those of the other countries who have long enjoyed the benefits of our many sacrifices.

If I were a defense hawk, I would have joined the military, not the Peace Corps. And, right now, could be enjoying a healthy government pension..perhaps sitting pretty on a foreign isle, safe and secure and criticizing my government from afar. No, on second thought, I don’t think I would ever have the stomach to do that.

]]> By: Leo Cecchini http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-525 Leo Cecchini Sat, 26 Jan 2013 01:25:45 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/#comment-525 "While we could not afford that luxury," is precisely why I suggest we reduce our defense expenditures. Time to eliminate all those far flung bases and save some money. I make no negative comparison, just a comparison of defense spending. I suggest that we lower our spending to the norm for all developed countries. By the way the number two economy, China, spends only 2% of GDP on defense and number three, Japan, spends only 1%. Didn't know you are a defense hawk. “While we could not afford that luxury,” is precisely why I suggest we reduce our defense expenditures. Time to eliminate all those far flung bases and save some money.

I make no negative comparison, just a comparison of defense spending. I suggest that we lower our spending to the norm for all developed countries. By the way the number two economy, China, spends only 2% of GDP on defense and number three, Japan, spends only 1%.

Didn’t know you are a defense hawk.

]]> By: Joey http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-524 Joey Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:54:58 +0000 http://peacecorpsworldwide.org/new-economy/2013/01/25/deficits-cut-defense/#comment-524 Leo, Please note that the reason Germany, et.al. can spend so much less on their defense budge is because we have paid, with our tax dollars and our blood and treasure, for a powerful defense umbrella that shelter and protected not only us, but Canada and Germany and the UK and France as well as Japan and many others. Our financed protection of those countries allowed them to use their tax dollars to built a social infrastructure that provides universal health care and other worker benefits as well as wonderful support to families, while we could not afford that luxury. I am an army brat. I grew up on the battlefields of WWII. I can provide stories about why "Freedom isn't free." I say this not to beg the question of how to begin to reduce our defense spending but rather to acknowledge that it is our generosity that allowed those other countries to be safe, free and socially secure. DO NOT compare my country unfavorably to those countries. Leo,
Please note that the reason Germany, et.al. can spend so much less on their defense budge is because we have paid, with our tax dollars and our blood and treasure, for a powerful defense umbrella that shelter and protected not only us, but Canada and Germany and the UK and France as well as Japan and many others.

Our financed protection of those countries allowed them to use their tax dollars to built a social infrastructure that provides universal health care and other worker benefits as well as wonderful support to families, while we could not afford that luxury.

I am an army brat. I grew up on the battlefields of WWII. I can provide stories about why “Freedom isn’t free.” I say this not to beg the question of how to begin to reduce our defense spending but rather to acknowledge that it is our generosity that allowed those other countries to be safe, free and socially secure. DO NOT compare my country unfavorably to those countries.

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