Budget cuts threaten our national security

Obama’s massive defense budget cuts threaten national security.

Defense Department funding cuts — 0.9 percent ($492 billion over next decade) on top of $487 billion already planned; 42.6 percent of all federal budget cuts (Congressional Budget Office). Compared to a mere 14.8 percent cuts for entitlements to total; less than 1 percent ($171 billion).

Defense only part federal government that Obama consistently cuts — $350 billion from weapons programs, $487 billion from 10-year budget and now, $492 billion more.

Will shrink the armed forces. The Navy is the smallest it has been since World War I and ground forces the smallest in 70 years.

Also the 2013 defense budget is the smallest since Pearl Harbor

Effects: negative impact on current operations, training programs, equipment maintenance and upgrades, military benefits, and armed forces modernization.

Meanwhile, China spends lavishly on armed forces, Russia’s U.S. intelligence efforts are higher than during the cold war according to a Russian intelligence officer defector; and there’s Mideast turmoil.

Joint Chiefs, Martin Dempsey: “Unacceptable risk. Will increase likelihood of conflict in world with weaker America.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Democrat, former CIA director: “Unworkable, a disaster that will hollow the force, inflict severe damage to national security.”

House plan to move cuts elsewhere. Obama threatens veto. Reid won’t schedule Senate vote.

Carl Levin, D-Michigan; John McCain, R-Ariz.; Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H.; float ideas to avoid cuts. Obama obstructs. Bipartisan budget questions from Congress ignored by White House.

Obama swore as Commander in Chief to safeguard national security. His policies are turning America into entitlement state with shrinking, weak military, a socialist Europe.

Obama is destroying our economy, now our military.

PHIL POUTRÉ

Cocolalla