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President Trump has proposed a $54 billion increase in defense spending, which he said would be "one of the largest increases in national defense spending in American history."
Past administrations have increased military spending, but typically to fulfil a specific mission. Jimmy Carter expanded operations in the Persian Gulf. Ronald Reagan pursued an arms race with the Soviet Union, and George W. Bush waged wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mr. Trump has not articulated a new mission that would require a military spending increase. This has left analysts wondering what goals he has in mind. Erin M. Simpson, a national security consultant, called Mr. Trump's plans "a budget in search of a strategy."
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/03/22/us/is-americas-military-big-enough.html
Donald J. Trump - Military Readiness Remarks
[Related]: 2017 Outlook for Navy Shipbuilding
What do you think about the proposed increase in military spending ? Does USA really need more weapons ?
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Unixnut on Friday March 24 2017, @11:59PM (10 children)
Things look a bit unstable in the upper echelons of US power houses. Lots of what was once backstabbing in silent areas is now open warfare in public. Maybe sensing that Trump cannot rely on the loyalty of the state department, CIA, and other political bodies, has decided to curry favour with those bodies that have shown to be the most pro Trump.
Namely the military. Would not surprise me that we are just seeing a bit power struggle, after all, those with guns will primarily follow the guy who pays them and takes care of them well.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Gaaark on Saturday March 25 2017, @12:25AM (5 children)
So, asking seriously. What would stop Trump from using the military for a coup to become Trump Jong Orange? Are there enough people in the military who would stop it cold? Some declaration of independence thing?
If military biggies REALLY wanted to.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday March 25 2017, @12:43AM (2 children)
What makes you think that people in power are more evil than you? Would you support a coup d'etat?
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Saturday March 25 2017, @01:25AM
Holy feck!
"What makes you think that people in power are more evil than you?"
You are an idiot. Sorry, but yeah. Idiot.
Stupidest thing I've heard all day.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 2) by TheRaven on Saturday March 25 2017, @12:26PM
What makes you think that people in power are more evil than you?
Because you don't get into power without the desire to wield power.
sudo mod me up
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday March 25 2017, @12:52AM
Isn't that what the 2nd amendment is for? The whole "having a militia" in case your government goes rogue? While having guns is fun for a pastime, the main reason to have it is to protect yourselves from a tyrannical government.
The negative social costs of gun culture are tolerated precisely because of the positive benefits it brings, but only if they are used when necessary.
As for what would stop Trump in such a situation? I guess it depends on whether the military stays loyal to him as a unit, or splinters into factions that fight amongst each other.
Scenario 1: You can engage in asymmetric guerrilla warfare. Be prepared to be labelled as "Terrorists" and "non-state combatants" (like every other guerrilla force in the world) with all the ex-jurisdictional droning and fun in any "interrogation chambers" that you may find yourself in. The unified military would be tough to beat, but it has happened in history that the guerrillas win.
Scenario 2: You basically have a civil war. Who wins will depend on far more factors than I can state here. Be sure that the weakening of the government and subsequent power vacuum will bring in outside countries interested in meddling for their own benefit.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday March 25 2017, @03:34AM
Let's do this thing! [wikipedia.org]
And I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for you meddling Jiggs!
(Score: 5, Insightful) by bob_super on Saturday March 25 2017, @12:40AM (3 children)
"I've got the support of all the generals, folks! Hundreds of generals! The military's a disaster, and we're gonna fix that!"
That's his campaign promise, and he nominated many generals in his administration.
What happens, when many generals take key positions in the executive of a president with African-dictator ego and tendencies, is an exercise in speculation and/or preparedness...
(Score: 2) by Snotnose on Saturday March 25 2017, @01:51AM (2 children)
Don't see that happening. He's got less then 50% support of the general population. Assuming the odds that means he's got less then 50% support among those who control planes, trains, and artillery, A coup with our military isn't going to happen with an asshole like Trump.
When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Saturday March 25 2017, @04:52AM
We can hope, but I'm not sure the demographics and psychology of those who choose to join the military necessarily coincide with those of the general population well enough to assume that will be the case.
(Score: 1) by anubi on Saturday March 25 2017, @05:39AM
My fear is that the buildup of the military is not to counter the Communist Threat.
Rather, its my belief its to counter the insurgence of millions of displaced Americans when the bankers again pull the rug out from everyone with rate hikes, then can't magically fix the problem by lowering them again after a helluva lotta people lose their house.
Google the "Federal Funds Rate chart", look at it, and you tell me how the banks are gonna pull another rabbit out of the hat when this thing collapses again.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]