Young Americans have repeatedly been told that the U.S. military is oversized and expensive. Some even argue our deficit problems are due to the big defense budget and two expensive wars. In reality Cheap Air Max Canada , defense spending is close to historically low levels. Regular defense programs combined with two wars amounts to less than 20% of the total federal budget. The current defense budget is inadequate to fulfill all the missions of our national defense. If we continue to cut back on defense spending, it will take longer and cost more to rebuild our military strength in the future. We must make sure that the U.S. military is given all the resources it needs to remain dominant, effective, and fulfill the tasks the U.S. government demands.

It is the Constitutional duty of the U.S. Government to "provide for the common defense". First and foremost the military must protect its citizens and property from attack. However Cheap Air Max Shoes , what any Young Americans do not realize is that the military's responsibilities do not end there. Since 1945, the U.S. military has taken on additional responsibilities in maintaining international security. Since the end of the Cold War, the mere presence of American warships or aircraft in a region can diffuse tense situations and discourage countries from using force against one another. Our military also maintains such overwhelming dominance to discourage potential rivals from trying to compete with the United States.

However, the U.S. military has had to fulfill these responsibilities with limited resources. During the Clinton Administration Cheap Mens Air Max , the U.S. saw no reason for maintaining the large Cold War defense budget and decided to reduce the size of the military. The military was reduced by about one-third and there were massive cuts in arms production (called procurement). After September 11th, The Bush Administration increased spending in certain areas (Special Forces, unmanned aircraft, intelligence) but neglected many others (like the Air Force and Navy). The Obama Administration has maintained a similar defense policy in the first two years Cheap Womens Air Max , but its plans are for a gradual decrease in defense spending over the next five years.

The last two decades of neglect have left the U.S. military with older, aging equipment that is in constant need of maintenance. In fact, most of our military equipment was designed in the 1970s and produced during the 1980s. The median age of a warplane in the U.S. Air Force is nearly 30 years old. The B-52 remains our frontline bomber despite being over a half century old. Many aircraft are serving well past their planned retirement date. The U.S. Navy has been getting older and weaker as well. We currently have a fleet of 285 warships, but the Navy has consistently stated that it needs more warships to fulfill its missions. The result is ships being stretched to their limit Cheap Air Max , seamen serving longer tours of duty and a gradual decline in the effectiveness of our Navy.

The list goes on. To sum it up, our military power is getting older and weaker.

Decreasing or delaying procurement for so long shrinks our defense industry, decreases competition among defense companies, and increases costs. The less we buy Cheap Air Max 90 Canada , the less we can take advantage of economies of scale (buying in bulk lowers the cost). It also makes it harder for us to rebuild our armed forces should we decide to do so in the future. Producing modern weapons takes years of research, development, and testing.

As our power declines, our rivals are seeing an opportunity. Both Russia and China are increasing defense spending. Russia is trying to develop weapon systems tha