CCDS FORUM & DISCUSSION BOARD
NAME: Duncan McFarland
EMAIL: mcfarland13@gmail.com
DATE: 01/21/2012
TITLE: The Military Budget and the Peace and Justice Movement
By Duncan McFarland, CCDS peace and solidarity committee
Summary: in 2011 there was a shift in dialogue from regarding Pentagon
budget requests as untouchable to discussion of cutting the military
budget; this is a big step forward. However, no significant cuts in
core programs have actually been made and no monies moved from
military to social programs. These difficult tasks remain. Only a
coalition building strategy leading to the progressive majority can
accomplish them.
During 2011 there was a lot talk nationally and locally about deficits
and budgets. The peace and justice movement waged a multifaceted
campaign to fund jobs, communities and human needs by ending the wars
and cutting the military budget. What has actually happened regarding
the military budget?
The Budget Control Act signed August 1 specified about 950 billion
dollars in cuts over a ten-year period. 350 billion dollars are to be
cut in the security and military budget, about $35 billion a year.
However, the current Congress has no authority to make budgeting
decisions for future Congresses. Consequently, while the baseline
military budget may be capped this year and next, a new Congress and
presidential administration will revisit the matter in 2013 and quite
possibly make changes, altering or even undoing the legislation.
The Budget Control Act created the "supercommittee" to agree on an
additional 1.2 trillion dollars in deficit reduction (either cuts or
more revenues) over the next ten years, with failure to make a plan by
Nov. 23 resulting in "sequestration" or automatic cuts of 50%
military/ 50% social programs (leaving social security and medicare
untouched). Peace and justice activists in Massachusetts campaigned
hard to pressure committee member Sen. John Kerry not to compromise
and make a bad deal cutting social security etc. -- ultimately Kerry
held firm and the supercommittee effort collapsed. However,
sequestration does not take effect until 2013 so there is a lot of
time for Congress and the President to modify or retract the
sequestration plan as well. The supercommittee was doomed partly
because neither Republicans nor Democrats wanted to give the other
side a deal that could be an advantage in the 2012 elections.
The 2012 federal budget proposal signed by Pres. Obama on Dec. 31,
2011 for about $662 billion in Defense Department spending. This is
some $60 billion less than 2011 expenditures, mostly reflecting the
pullout of combat troops from Iraq. The baseline budget is about the
same. There are substantial increases requested for priority programs
such as the continued development of high tech and robotic warfare;
for example, 57% increase in drones, 54% increase in space weapons and
continued modernization of the nuclear arsenal. Defense Secretary
Panetta is considering trimming programs such as the F-35 fighter,
reducing army troop levels and some medical benefits. None of these
reductions will hamper the imperialist mission of the US military.
The peace movement contributed to significant results in 2011 with
difficult challenges ahead. First, the conversation has changed;
after 9/11 in particular, the military and security agencies had a
blank check as requested funding was almost automatically granted.
Now, cutting the military budget is widely proposed and debated with
decision makers obliged to state their case either for or against.
Efforts will be made to inject defense spending into the 2012
presidential campaign. The changing of the framework of discussion
is a big victory. Also, even restricting the growth of military
spending takes some pressure from the effort to cut social security
and necessary social programs. Finally, with persistence, the
educational work on the budget and tax policy is likely to bear much
fruit in coming years.
The difficult second step remains. There have not been any actual
reductions in the military budget which will cramp US imperialist
posture or actions. Restored funding of social programs has not
happened. The possible reductions that may be forced on the Pentagon
in the coming years are all planned for second priority programs. It
is difficult to see how major cuts in the guts of US military
spending can be accomplished without the pressure of a strong
progressive movement and coalition, including labor and people of
color organizations along with the peace and justice movement.
for further information: www.newprioritiesnetwork.org
If you would like to respond to this article email Duncan at: mcfarland13@gmail.com