Should we be cutting domestic programs while spending $560 billion on defense next year?

Quote from jonsmith74 : My goodness... So you believe that the next generation of defense spending should be predicated upon a single congressional authorization for the use of military force? WTF happens when we authorize war that requires navy carriers? Just build them in 48 hours? How does one argue with such nonsense?

Why would a war require Navy carriers? Do you DENY that we can defend ourselves from an attack using our strategic nuclear weapons?

Quote : I have no obligation to justify the current size of the Navy. And it was a deflection because you didn't address the comment I posted.

I believe I addressed your comments. If you still think otherwise, that's too bad.

And yes, you have to justify the current size of the Navy GIVEN the fact that our strategic nuclear arsenal is more than sufficient to protect us from attacks.

Quote : No counterargument necessary. Again, for the fourth time...the tripoli expedition was not raised to support an argument about how many carriers or how much we should spend on defense. But you knew that...hence, that's why you attempt to defelct and redirect the discussion to some asinine nonsense.

Sorry, but you know very well that Tripoli expedition opened the door to the argument about the number of carriers and defense spending. Trying to close the door after the fact isn't helping your case.

The Tripoli expedition was for a very specific purpose authorized by Congress: to go after the pirates on high seas. Which specific enemy were 10 supercarrier battle groups supposed to go after and why are they necessary when we could go after the enemies with strategic nuclear weapons? Do you really think that the Congress of 1801 would have authorized Navy ships when they could have just lobbed nuclear-tipped missiles at Tripoli?

Quote : Again, note...I pointed out the contradiction and you denied it. The contradiction is as clear as I described it earlier. Read...

I didn't deny it. I still stand by what I said AND by the clarification I provided to explain what I meant.

Quote : I'm not saying you contradicted yourself

Are you contradicting yourself now??

Quote from jonsmith74 : .I pointed out the contradiction

By the way, you still have not addressed my questions about why we need 10 supercarrier battle groups.