Army says no to more tanks, but Congress insists

[unhappycamper]

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130428/APW/1304280598

Army says no to more tanks, but Congress insists
By RICHARD LARDNER
Associated Press
Published: Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 7:56 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 7:56 a.m.

WASHINGTON - Built to dominate the enemy in combat, the Army's hulking Abrams tank is proving equally hard to beat in a budget battle.

Lawmakers from both parties have devoted nearly half a billion dollars in taxpayer money over the past two years to build improved versions of the 70-ton Abrams.

But senior Army officials have said repeatedly, "No thanks."

It's the inverse of the federal budget world these days, in which automatic spending cuts are leaving sought-after pet programs struggling or unpaid altogether. Republicans and Democrats for years have fought so bitterly that lawmaking in Washington ground to a near-halt.

[grilled onions]

1. Let's Make Some Other Suggestions For That Money

Meals On Wheels...Headstart...S.S. ...Medicare...Hud...Scholarships and job training...Infrastructure...Money to keep insitutions,like libraries open at least six days a week...food pantries...the homeless...places like animal shelters that live on next to nothing now while at the same time get far too many new pups and kittens when owners lose jobs,forced to move,can't afford the added expenses... I know I am missing many this morning from this list but I would like to place my list in the mail slot of every fool trying to push $$$ where it's not wanted!

[rurallib]

3. Eisenhower

“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross of iron.”
― Dwight D. Eisenhower

[Newest Reality]

2. Meanwhile

amongst other groups of people, the sequester is hitting the service men and women, their families and the supporting communities and businesses hard.

I personally know a young couple getting whacked in the head by some major changes that are going to bite them badly.

One wonders what will happen to the military aspect of the austerity-in-drag sequester if there is another occupation/war. That would be one way to increase the Pentagon's gigantic cash cow again, anyway. There is muscle behind that.

[msongs]

4. our commander in chief will veto this unnecesary boondogle, right? nt

[era veteran]

5. Sound like a no brainer but....

The Army is a political entity with the Infantry currently in full control. They have ruined our beautiful Armor formations. Why??
Now the defense industry can turn around and sell Strykers and other trucks with guns. Putting a 105mm on a truck will not accomplish the same mission. Now they can sell these and we still have our Jedi tanks which they can spend tons more money updating them when they are needed again. Time after time we hear the MBT is obsolete. Tell that to the Grunts that had tank support vs the ones that won't.
Lima, also is a strategic Tank Plant, the only one. The are not making new ones just rebuilding the worn outs. Rebuild tanks are as good as new. Where we going to find competent machinists if they are laid off?
The Russians and Chinese are updating their tanks as we are mothballing ours.
Yes, I am a tanker and son of a tanker.
Best tank and by far best tank crews in the world and we are walking away from them.
A pity. We will end up spending more money on crap that won't do the job.