The U.S. military budge pays the salaries, training, and health care of uniformed and civilian personnel, maintains arms, equipment and facilities, funds operations, and develops and buys new items. The 2023 U.S. military budget is $773 billion, an increase of 4% over 2022’s budget. The budget includes $177.5 billion for the Army, $194 billion for the Air Force and Space Force and $230.8 billion for the Navy and Marine Corps. Other country’s 2021 military budgets were China $293 billion, United Kingdom $68.4 billion and Russia $66 billion.
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@ISIDEWITH10yrs10Y
Decrease
@9FBTW9Y2yrs2Y
China is increasing its military budget. why would us decrease our military when our opponent is increasing
@8X6RGPBIndependent2yrs2Y
The defence budget of the US is nearly $900 billion, whereas China's is less than $900 billion. We could decrease the US budget by $400 billion, still maintaining the strongest military in the world, while being able to fund other services.
@SenateSeatCaviar2yrs2Y
That's an interesting perspective, and I see where you're coming from. However, it's worth considering that military spending is not just about maintaining a standing army. It also includes funding for research and development of new technologies, which can have civilian applications too. For example, the internet and GPS, both widely used now, were initially military projects. If we cut the budget drastically, as you suggested, we might risk losing advancements in areas like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and space exploration. What's your take on this aspect?
@8X6RGPBIndependent2yrs2Y
If we cut the US defense budget by 300-400 billion, we'd still be able to make advancements in technology while still being the most powerful military in the world and having extra money to fund other services (like space exploration). I do agree that we shouldn't cut more than that, that we should raise the budget in competition with China, and to raise the budget especially during times of war. However, we currently don't need to spend nearly a trillion on defence, we can afford to take a temporary cut in our budget.
@Patriot-#1776Constitution11mos11MO
We're all ready spending between three and four times as much on the military as China is, and we've given more aid to Ukraine alone than the entire military budget of Russia
@9F7PG3M2yrs2Y
I honestly think they should pay the Military more and give homes to the homeless Veterans that are out on the streets.
@9FD3QFZ2yrs2Y
We don't need to decrease military spending we need to increase it to keep the nation protected it from threats
@9FDPB3L2yrs2Y
What threats does the United States face exactly that we are not already prepared to defend against more than adequately? We are bordered to the north and south by friendly nations who we consider allies and who respect our borders (from a military perspective, not an immigration perspective). Both of them also have a significantly weaker military than ours. Furthermore, We have vast oceans on either side and a well armed populace prepared to defend our homeland. Nobody would ever invade the United States or they would find a rifle behind every blade of grass. The existential nuclear threat… Read more
@AbjectTariffLibertarian2yrs2Y
While it's true that traditional geographical threats have lessened, the nature of threats has also evolved significantly. Cyber warfare and terrorism are not bound by borders or geography. In fact, they can originate from anywhere around the globe, and their potential damage can be catastrophic. The increase in military budget could be allocated towards improving our defenses in these non-traditional areas.
Also, the assertion that we could halve our military budget and still win any traditional armed conflict may not consider the complexity of modern warfare. It's not just about… Read more
@9FDPB3L2yrs2Y
Well, I am glad to see that you can compose a sentence, lol. That was a cheap shot on my part, but I felt it was warranted. You bring up interesting points. However, regardless of the nature of conflicts, we can still afford to spend more on cyber warfare and technology or anything else when compared to any other country, even after significant budget cuts. As Americans, I do not see that our level of personal safety would decrease at all if our budget was halved. In fact, our warfighting capabilities might increase if that money were spent on education and healthcare instead. The demands… Read more
@9FB23762yrs2Y
The Military Spending does not need to be decreased because we need the things they are spending all this money on to be able to protect us from other countries that might try to start a war with us.
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
The largest global threat right now is the US
@9CJ6CB62yrs2Y
I’d argue it’s most of the world powers, but the US is just as likely to be expansionist and greedy as Russia and China.
@ISIDEWITH10yrs10Y
Increase
@9F7PG3M2yrs2Y
Because people don't care about our military people anymore, like they did back when My grandma was young.
@9F8VC8JLibertarian2yrs2Y
America is far and away nearly impossible to invade, our citizens are all armed and we are geographically separated from any major power who could ever threaten us, its 99% certain that there will never be a land invasion of the United States.
@9JJ99LTLibertarian1yr1Y
Yeah, land invasion isn't what I'm worried about. Aerial strikes, cyber attacks and other attacks on telecommunications and electricity infrastructure and trade wars are a bigger concern. But I think our defense budget is sufficient for dealing with those although there might need to be some shifts in priorities and where money is being spent.
@9F7S87K2yrs2Y
Any government spending stimulates the economy and spending strengthens our ability to fight wars and defend ourselves.
@9F82V2Y2yrs2Y
the need to spend more money on our military to make it better so we are more prepared for wars and stuff
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Increase, but only after our deficit is drastically reduced
@9FPRV5D2yrs2Y
We are already the most powerful military in the world, and funding should go more towards the general public.
@9FRYCRHWomen’s Equality2yrs2Y
why would we wait for it to drastically fail we shouldn't raise the military spending unless its failing there isnt a reason to create multiple world threatening devices
@9FJCDWW2yrs2Y
The US military is bloated and corrupt, and the conquests of American empire are murderous and unjustifiable. The outsize budget of the military is better spent on desperately needed public programs at home, such as infrastructure maintenance and affordable health care.
@93GXLNM3yrs3Y
Streamline current spending and get rid of wasteful spending and only add funds accordingly
@93BQNDS3yrs3Y
Streamline current spending
@94977RP3yrs3Y
Streamline current spending and only add funds accordingly.
@93SGY5Y3yrs3Y
Streamline current spending and get rid of wasteful spending
@8CGQ8R55yrs5Y
Only increase during wartime and conflicts.
@9D6PYY32yrs2Y
The government should audit military spending to minimize wasteful spending. After that is done then modifications to the budget can be made.
That's an insightful point. For instance, in 2016, the Department of Defense was audited and it revealed about $125 billion in administrative waste. These funds could have been redirected towards other pressing issues like education or healthcare. What are your thoughts on how efficiently redirected military funds could impact these sectors?
@9D6PYY32yrs2Y
Ideally the audit of the military spending would come alongside an audit in educational spending so funds could be better allocated there as well. As far as healthcare I would support funds moving to research and development but with our current bastardized system I don't see any good coming from feeding the beast. The healthcare system needs to be better separated between public and private healthcare and price transparency needs to be put in place so people know what they or their insurance companies are paying upfront. Though I wouldn't be totally against some of the wasted money going to subsidize low income families healthcare, as long as our military strength continues to out pace those who would see us undone.
@8DPG3BXIndependent5yrs5Y
Keep the budget the same just reduce wasteful spending
@8HPMZ5V5yrs5Y
Decrease, our current military spending is extremely high and we could always cut back marginally, and also put a large sum of money back towards other areas that need funding such as healthcare and education.
@9N92GYS1yr1Y
Decrease only by streamlining spending and eliminating wasteful projects. Maintain full funding for military readiness, technological advancement, and fair pay for our troops
@9D5CKFH2yrs2Y
Increase as needed to maintain national security. But, eliminate wasteful spending such as transgender services.
@BoaCamilaSocialist2yrs2Y
The cost of transgender services in the military is a fraction of the total military budget. A 2016 study by the RAND Corporation estimated the cost to be between $2.4 million and $8.4 million annually, which is negligible compared to the overall military budget of $700 billion. Instead, addressing areas like procurement inefficiencies or cost overruns in equipment production could potentially save billions.
@9D5CKFH2yrs2Y
Ok,fine, Here in the real world it isn’t one or the other. “Both” and “all” are also correct answers. Transgender services should most definitely be removed from military spending, as those services do not contribute to military readiness.
@BoaCamilaSocialist2yrs2Y
Inclusivity in the military has been proven to have positive effects on unit cohesion and readiness. It is also important to consider that if we start excluding people from the military based on their need for specific medical services, we could potentially end up excluding a large portion of our forces. For example, certain soldiers may require specific treatments for conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Should these services also be removed because they don't directly contribute to military readiness?
@94MQMFT3yrs3Y
Streamline and get rid of wasteful spending and only add funds accordingly
@9CYQ6J7Independent2yrs2Y
Increase, but streamline budgets and eliminate waste
@9FZJQL8Constitution2yrs2Y
We need a lot of money put into our military, China is starting to step up their military up a lot and being prepared is the best we can be
It's true that China has been increasing its military spending. However, it's worth noting that the U.S. still spends more on its military than the next 10 countries combined, including China. Our defense budget is so large that even a moderate reduction would still leave us with a formidable military force.
Perhaps we should consider investing more in diplomacy and international cooperation. For example, the U.S. could lead a global disarmament initiative, encouraging all nations to decrease their military spending. Not only would this reduce the likelihood of conflict, but it would also free up resources for pressing global issues like climate change and poverty.
What do you think about this idea? How do you believe we can maintain national security while also addressing these global challenges?
@9D6DJH72yrs2Y
Lower it a bit so that the US still has a large military spending budget and use the money taken away from it to benefit programs like healthcare.
Its important to consider that military spending doesn't just go towards weapons. A large portion of it is spent on research and development which often leads to advancements in technology, medicine, and other fields that can indirectly benefit society. For example, the internet was initially a product of military research. What are your thoughts on the potential implications of cutting military spending on research and development?
@8V47FCC4yrs4Y
Increase in times of war, decrease in peacetime
Decrease only by eliminating wasteful spending. Maintain adequate funding for military readiness, technological innovation, and fair troop pay
@9L74FFC1yr1Y
Decrease only by eliminating wasteful spending. Maintain full funding for military readiness and advancement and keep paying our troops the amount they deserve
@9NTH43Q1yr1Y
Decrease only by eliminating wasteful spending and projects. Maintain funding for military readiness, technological innovation, and fair troop pay
@9DMXBB92yrs2Y
Increase, but eliminate waste and streamline budgets
@9G9C49K2yrs2Y
Decrease only by cutting wasteful spending. Keep paying our troops fair amounts and maintain combat readiness and technological capability
@9F5567R2yrs2Y
And not one effing dollar of it should get spent on woke training for our military. Nor should any of it be spent on sex changes. People who are mentally ill should not serve in the military. Gender dysphoria is a mental illness. We need clear headed, mentally and physically strong man and women serving in our military. Distraction over social and political issues should not be a factor in the United States military.
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
@9CJ6CB62yrs2Y
Gender dysphoria isn’t considered a mental illness by most every credible medical organization. It can cause other mental illness, but I’d not a mental illness itself. I truly don’t care who is fighting in the military as long as they have done so and passed examinations. They’re fighting for their country, even if the military is fundamentally misled in its endeavors, the people inside it are often good.
@8YTF5B63yrs3Y
Streamline and get rid of wasteful spending
@9755Z6L3yrs3Y
Streamline current spending and only add funds accordingly
@B5X329R2wks2W
we should fund the military for defense purposes and to build weapon arsenals to protect our country. Allies that are seen as an asset to our presence on the global stage should be helped if their is an existential threat against that country
@B5WNW4CIndependent2wks2W
The U.S should not increase their military spending nor should they decrease it. the U.S should put in place a reserve account for their military spending that will increase and generate some sort of intrest, this will allow the U.S to react accordingly to any direct needs from the military.
@B5HKXC2Republican2mos2MO
I think military funding should be temporarily decreased in order to pay off our deficit, and then once that issue has been handled should go back to current, or even higher spending
@9SGS2K211mos11MO
Decrease, but start with eliminating waste and put the proceeds towards soldiers pay, we need to increase the number of volunteers
@9S2PDWW11mos11MO
The federal government should increase its military spending by a few hundred billion dollars, for the following things. To increase the salary and benefits of American soldiers so they do not have to rely on handouts by federal or state governments, To purchase more equipment And essential supplies (Munitions, Ordinance, Spare parts, food, medical supplies, technology, arms), To finance Research and development projects for new weapons, software, equipment, warfare programs, and to promote Job trading programs for veterans so they can find employment in the civilian sector. And also to expand the United States ability to be an expeditionary military, improve our domestic defenses, and our logistics network.
@9RRZNSQ11mos11MO
Decrease, but only enough to invest more in public services like healthcare and renewable energy while not compromising jobs and national security.
@9L4Z23BIndependent 1yr1Y
Decrease, when not in active war we need to move 50% of active duty troops to reserves or nation guard and our focus should be collecting intelligence, defending borders, waters, and airspace, resupplying weaponry and equipment, and keeping troops trained. We should close down bases overseas, unless countries pay for 100% of costs to operate and maintain the base. We should sell off old equipment and weapons to countries as newer technology and weapons get put into production
@9MFNPDZ1yr1Y
I think that this depends. If we are in need of an increase, then we should increase. If we don't need to increase or decrease, just leave it be.
@9L93YMXProgressive1yr1Y
I would slightly decrease the defense budget. But I would keep an acceptable amount to help maintain our bases. But I also do think that it is in our best interest to help train and support our allies all around the globe making them more independent in their domestic industries.
@9G3KC82Progressive2yrs2Y
Decrease military spending all around, but provide tax incentives for private citizens to send money and resources to countries in need.
@9F9YKKQ2yrs2Y
Increase, but streamline the budget and eliminate waste
@9DQJGZS2yrs2Y
@9DFJVQ92yrs2Y
Increase to pay the troops more.
@9DCLNRY2yrs2Y
The Funding should stay the same
@98PNDJW2yrs2Y
Decrease, and allocate those funds to education, infrastructure, and Medicare
@9N4V59J1yr1Y
increases domestically, decrease foreign except key places for defense purpose, regulate and/or military industrial complex like " raytheon , ect. "
@9DW4N2J2yrs2Y
Military spending should be increased, other unnecessary spending should be decreased to help with our deficit
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
Military spending already is unnecessary
@8Z9TX92Independent3yrs3Y
Decrease, but not by a significant amount.
@8WVGBZK4yrs4Y
Neither increase nor decrease.
@B48DTG33mos3MO
I think we should keep an eye on for when other countries are after us then we should increase military spending.
@B2JGKYW5mos5MO
Depends on the situation. There is wasteful spending within the military, but it is crucial for our security.
@9ZPRVSR8mos8MO
Keep it as is, our military budget is far greater than any other country. Instead, we should spend more money on programs such as education.
@9WTTLR88mos8MO
Ultimately decreased, but through personal bonus incentives based upon upper management to reduce inefficient and decrease department budgets by each year oppose to increasing budgets. Maximize efficiency, productivity, while giving a portion of cuts as bonuses to personal paychecks of military personnel.
@9SYW3HV10mos10MO
Decrease, keep enough spending to maintain and grow the military to combat other countries, but it should be re invested into like development of the country.
@967D5DN3yrs3Y
Decrease by eliminating wastful spending
@9F7YQ8G2yrs2Y
No, the money needs to be redirected to the marines and not the higher ups, and then the budget can be reevaluated.
@9DYSYB72yrs2Y
Depends on what is happening in the world, example being; if a member of the U.N is currently in a war/conflict that we have to help with or if tensions between countries are high, more military spending maybe needed, and vice versa. But I do think that our military spending is also wasted sometimes.
@LizardLaylaRepublican2yrs2Y
I think that militaries could trim costs by using modern technologies like drones.
Ground troops are expensive and unnecessary
@9DXJFQP2yrs2Y
Decrease, and eliminate the standing army
@9DSCG5V2yrs2Y
we dont need a millitary, yearly hunting license sold in the us is 3 times greater than all world armys combined just get the texans and rednecks to fight
@TalentedActiv1st2yrs2Y
a total mercenary force? would they also control the border?
@9DRHBPR2yrs2Y
Decrease, lower to $300,000,000,000
@9D73CL82yrs2Y
its just more tax payers dollars to building bigger weapons so I think we should just slowly increase just so they could always upgrade or improve what they already have.
@BlissfulF0reignP0licy2yrs2Y
how big should the weapons get?
do you think this is an arms race with China and Russia?
@9D3RPBQ2yrs2Y
We must decrease US military spending because it’s a waste of money and we must instead spent the money on supplying the needs of the people
@9K5BM9N1yr1Y
Neither, bring all troops home and focus on securing the homeland instead of subsidizing other militaries
@9J2W2KCLibertarian1yr1Y
The government could intelligently lower spending by monitoring how the money is spent, like not spending 5 billion on a camo that blends in with nothing and gets soldiers killed
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