Military Budget Essay

The U.S. Military is a proud institution, on which we as a nation rely on, just as it relies on the funding and directing of the United States Congress. However, when compared to the rest of the world, the United States consistently outspends other countries on Military/Defense spending. So much so that the National Priorities Project (NPP) states that in 2013 “America spent 37% of the world’s total military spending.” They go on to say that in 2015 “military spending (was) projected to account for 54% of all federal discretionary spending” which equates to about 600 billion dollars in federal spending towards defense and military. While there are benefits of spending this much on Military, many argue that such spending gives America an element

Because of this many Americans have long advocated for Military Defense cuts and redirections of funds to both the public sector and other Military Institutions like Veteran Affairs (VA) and Military Personnel Healthcare. If the U.S. were to reduce/re-appropriate the National Security Budget, they would see improvements in the public sector, in veteran care, and could improve other sections of the FDB (Federal Discretionary Budget).

My first argument in favor of military budget cuts is that the budget should be reduced and funds redirected to military personnel and veteran care. The Congressional Budget Office explains the way the military divides its spending “The Defense and National Security Budget is divided into four parts consisting of the defense budget, military personnel budget, military and veteran’s health care budget, and weapons

When compared to military (54% of the FDR), education only accounts for about 6% of federal spending, which amounts to around 70 billion dollars. According to the Congressional Budget Office that money is then allocated to the states where in some cases it may only cover “10% of the state’s total educational costs”. If funds were allocated from defense to education the federal government could relieve what is for some states a 90% burden of coverage of federally regulated schools. Funds could be used to increase teacher pay, reduce school crowding, and give states with a smaller budget increased funding towards there school systems. In addition to improvements in education this same concept could be applied to other areas of the public sector like infrastructure. Improving areas within Federal Infrastructure also has the economic benefit of job creation in construction and maintenance, as well as safer road systems and infrastructure for the American people. Excessive government spending in the Defense Budget is therefore irresponsible as money could be better utilized in areas of the public sector that would directly improve the lives of the American