Recommendation for Defense Spending to Shrink.

The Washington Independent newspaper sites that defense spending is reaching a high percentage of nearly 5 % of the GDP, which is higher than the 3.5% rate during the George W. Bush years. (http://washingtonindependent.com/75451/defense-spending-almost-5-percent-of-gdp). The current rate of 4.7% is higher due to continued Iraq and Afghanistan spending, which seems problematic during the current economic downtown. Op Eds in the Washington Post recommend cuts in defense spending considering cuts in other Federal spending, as well as the unprecedented consistently high percentage it contributes to the GDP. ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/22/AR2010062201999.html, http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-defense-spending-should-be-cut/2011/08/03/gIQAsRuqsI_story.html). The bipartisan Sustainable Task Force’s June 11, 2011 report recommends cuts to defense spending, siting specific areas to cut waste. Cuts made to defense spending will require a reassessment of what American politicians value in the name of security (ie: responding to danger rather than seeking danger out). Rather than simply trimming unnecessary weapons spending, this will require a reassessment of America’s role in the world as world security officer. Fareed Zakaria sites that the Pentagon budget has consistently risen for thirteen years, which is unprecedented in situations where military force has withdrawn. Although this consistently high defense spending is not surprising, it warrants concern about the other components of American spending.

Conservatives want to limit Federal funding for Medicaid and allow the state to determine Medicaid spending allotment, as state needs vary. With increased Medicaid spending in 2009 and 2010, conservatives see cuts in Medicaid spending as a way to address problems with the Federal budget.(www.nytimes.com/2011/05/16/us/politics/16medicaid.html?pagewanted=all). In 2009, National Health Spending grew 4%, accounting for 17.6% of the GDP. Within this, Medicaid spending grew 9%, comprising 15% of National Health Spending. (www.cms.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/25_NHE_Fact_sheet.asp). stating that 2009 National Health Spending grew 4% to $2.5 trillion, accounting for 17.6% of GPP. Medicaid spending grew 9 %, to 15% of National Health Spending.

The budgeted Federal spending estimate on education for 2011 is 3% of the GDP. (http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/education_budget_2012_2.html). As defense spending consistently rises, it seems necessary to reassess the relatively lower proportion that education spending attributes to the U.S. GDP. As education sets the foundation for mobility and opportunity in American society, the education percentage can stand to rise as defense is cut.