Common Folk Using Common Sense

From Fred08:

Fred today unveiled his “Four Pillars of a Revitalized National Defense” at The Citadel, where he called for increasing defense spending, building a “million-member” Army and Marine Corps, modernizing our Armed Forces, and ensuring better treatment for our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and veterans.

Fred Thompson’s “Four Pillars of a Revitalized National Defense“:

First, the U.S. must increase spending on defense. The U.S. must be prepared to increase defense spending to at least 4.5 percent of GDP, not including what it takes to fund operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Second, the U.S. must increase the size of our military and proposes building a “Million-Member” ground force.

• Increase Army end strength to 775,000 organized into 64 brigade combat teams.
• Increase active duty Marine Corps forces by 50,000 to 225,000.

Third, the U.S. must modernize its Armed Forces. We must fully field and fund the next generation of military systems to ensure U.S. forces retain dominance in the full battle space: On the battlefield, in the skies above it, and in the waters surrounding it. The investments we make today provide the means to defend our nation tomorrow.

Fourth, the U.S. must take better care of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. Whether they are active duty, Guard or Reserve, they are entitled, as well, to expect the best pay and benefits our country can afford. They also deserve the best healthcare, education benefits, and support possible for their families.

• We must also take care of our veterans by fixing the VA system and implementing many of the recommendations of the Dole-Shalala Commission and the Veteran’s Disability Benefits Commission report.

“With 20th century equipment in a 21st century war, our material support for our troops has not matched the demands we have placed on them,” Thompson said to applause from hundreds of cadets, staff and visitors at the school’s basketball arena. “We’ve been asking too few troops to do too much for too long.”

“Half measures and small increases will no longer do. We need the best all-volunteer force that can meet the security needs of this country. And they must be organized, trained and equipped to deal with tomorrow’s threats as well as today,” Thompson said.

He said the nation needs to beef up its missile and space defense systems, and do more to protect computer systems and tighten the nation’s borders.

“NASCAR and barbecue. I know I’m home now,” he said, then made a joke at the expense at his rivals from the Northeast, Giuliani and Romney. “Now, when Rudy and Mitt come down here from New York and Massachusetts, I want you to be nice to them. And the first thing I want you to do is explain to them what NASCAR is,” Thompson said. “It’s not a hybrid automobile.”

defense spending, Fred Thompson, National Defense

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