Is it time for the US to greatly reduce military spending?

As a percentage of GDP, the US miltary spending was 3.3% in 2004.

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/factbook/us/m...

The adjustment today is only slightly higher, with around 3.4% of the GDP.

I don't think that is a large percentage to spend on security.

Excessive spending---YES. Let's consider Japan, Germany and South Korea, Will we ever be fully compensated? I think not. Will we be compensated for our involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq? I think not. Out debt is enormous and steady climbing which will be placed upon the blood, sweat and tears of American citizens. The time is now for change and refocus on these serious issues. Our spending is out of control and I might add the most asinine thing I've heard. Regarding our great leaders of this wonderful nation, I think common sense is on vacation..............

I think we can reallocate our resources in defense to better those combating in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as expand our resources to help our intelligence without increasing military spending. Maybe in the long run we can even reduce the spending, but still have enough to effectively combat aboard and stop terrorist activity here at home.

A fair amount of military spending is, as you say, wasted with troop build ups throughout Europe and Asia which hold little-to-no terrorist activity. It all comes down to how we allocate and manage our resources.

In 1945 with the fall of Nazi Germany we made the Russians, who had been our allies, into our enemies to justify continuing the military expenditure. In 1991 with the fall of the Soviet Union the militarists are frantically looking around for new enemies to make. But the present hubbub in the media over terrorism that was caused by 19 guys who were only armed with boxcutters is hardly a credible justification for our monstrous military expenditures, although it seems to be working well enough for the present in the media. The progress that could be made with the re-direction of this wasteful expenditure continues to be a carefully kept secret.

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We have already reduced forces in Germany by 80%, Korea by 30% and th Japan force is minimal, mostly based on Okinawa.

Our military spending is up due to the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Subtract these and we have a miniscule defense budget.

Our Defense spending should be increased to replace the equipment being used u in those conflicts.

Yes. It is time to close the majority of our 100+ bases around the world, bring THOSE troops and assets home to either protect our borders or contribute to our domestic economy. Focus on defense rather than bloated strategic global domination with the exception of a few major strategic military bases. Time to get our budget and our priorities straight; time to put that money towards paying off a debt or better yet - towards domestic services. It's how most countries can afford paying for socialized medical services - by not using 50% of their budget on the military. It's the only way we will ever get any kind of universal health insurance program.

The US needs to cut military spending a great deal. We should eliminate our bases in Japan, Korea, Germany, and all other countries where we shouldn't be spending dollars. If those countries are willing to foot the entire bill I say let them stay. The war in Iraq is an additional trillion dollars we borrow from China.

As your facts state, we were outspending the entire world before the Iraq war began. If we spent like every other country in the world we could provide health care to our citizens.

If someone was around to make sure everyone was protected, and peace was able to flourish, would you be against that? Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Afgahistan. These wars have not been cheap. Clintons and Bush's wars cost.

So far the U.S. war in Iraq has cost our country $472,466,362,230 and it continues to rise.

My question is if the war in Iraq is so important why don't other countries contribute money to it?

Why doesn't Canada for example help in the war on terror? Canada does nothing.