Possible anti-missile system in our town

[Minimalist]

Only that defense spending does create real jobs for real people.

No doubt but when those real jobs for real people involve building tanks and planes we don't need....or keeping dinosaurs like the A-10 in service because they provide jobs to localities there is something desperately wrong with the system.

Eisenhower warned us, long ago. We did not listen. But then, we never do.

[Anomalocaris]

I dont argue that the government doesn't waist money. Nor do I think that we wouldn't be better off if the defense budget was cut way back. This despite my earning a good living working in the defense industry. Only that defense spending does create real jobs for real people. If spending is cut and those jobs go away many of those people are going to jave a hard time finding new ones.

There is no question defense spending bring benefits to the economy. The question does benefit of defense spending outweigh the opportunity cost, and what are conditions under which it could outweigh opportunity cost.

I think defense has long since become a way for conservatives to fiscally stimulate the economy without admitting the economic system they nominally trumpet does not even ask the right questions much less have the right answers, where as the economical system they regard as inimical to their personal interest do in fact have vital answers to burning questions.