The Common Ground thread

[BaltimoreSkins]

Originally Posted by sdskinsfan2001

Let states and/or local governments handle it, is my solution to 90% of all issues, give or take.

I'm a southerner by birth so I can have some appreciation for letting states and local governments handle most things. (I do draw the line on protection of our common resources). My dad worked in the White House during the Reagan administration and we have this discussion all the time about military spending. He has convinced me that we could cut military spending by half and use that at the state level for policing and mental health and we would easily save more American lives annually.

[sdskinsfan2001]

Originally Posted by BaltimoreSkins

I'm a southerner by birth so I can have some appreciation for letting states and local governments handle most things. (I do draw the line on protection of our common resources). My dad worked in the White House during the Reagan administration and we have this discussion all the time about military spending. He has convinced me that we could cut military spending by half and use that at the state level for policing and mental health and we would easily save more American lives annually.

If it was up to me, I'd eliminate a lot of departments, agencies, etc., altogether. And all the ones remaining would get a 10% cut in 2022, including military spending.

[nonniey]

Originally Posted by BaltimoreSkins

I'm a southerner by birth so I can have some appreciation for letting states and local governments handle most things. (I do draw the line on protection of our common resources). My dad worked in the White House during the Reagan administration and we have this discussion all the time about military spending. He has convinced me that we could cut military spending by half and use that at the state level for policing and mental health and we would easily save more American lives annually.

Well, the issue is we are the world hegemonic power. That is expensive. Would you want to cede that? We already are seeing the ramifications of our surrender in Afghanistan cutting the defense budget in half would be pouring gas on a fire.

[BaltimoreSkins]

Originally Posted by nonniey

Well, the issue is we are the world hegemonic power. That is expensive. Would you want to cede that? We already are seeing the ramifications of our surrender in Afghanistan cutting the defense budget in half would be pouring gas on a fire.

That is the challenge right? And if so who takes the mantle of power. I would say as a typical American citizen my individual safety would be better served at the local and state level for safety. If we are spending $2,000 per capita annually on military expenditures, I would prefer if half of that was used directly toward my regional safety, but I do not work in an area or industry that is impacted by foreign terrorism and far more likely to be impacted by someone domestically.

In terms of Afghanistan I fail to see how our withdrawal is bad. Instability in that region makes China worried and focus on their backyard and thus means they are less focused on us.