Sec. of Defense Panetta Calls Potential Cuts ‘Unacceptable,‘ Wants ’Revenues’
- Posted on August 5, 2011 at 7:24am by
Jessie Abrams
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Some leaders at the Pentagon are unhappy about Tuesday’s debt debate deal.
Automatic spending cuts in the agreement are a “doomsday mechanism” that would “do real damage to our security, our troops and their families, and our military’s ability to protect the nation,” new Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said on Thursday.
Tuesday’s deal puts the Defense Department on track to lose more than $345 billion over the next 10 years, and if politicians still can’t come up with a different solution soon, the deals indicates an additional $1.2 trillion will be taken in automatic cuts. Half of those cuts would come from the Pentagon budget.
Those cuts in place now are manageable Panetta says, but the automatic ones that come into play only if lawmakers cannot reach an additional agreement, go beyond thrifty budgeting.
“It is an outcome that would be completely unacceptable to me as secretary of defense, to the president and I believe to our nation’s leaders,” Mr. Panetta said. “Most importantly, it would be unacceptable to the American people.”
Panetta addresses the press in this video, saying in many ways he was already expecting but will still be tough to undertake. He talks about his concern over what would happen if lawmakers aren’t able to come to a further conclusion around timecode 3:05:
So what is Panetta’s solution? The New York Times quotes him as toeing the administration line on “revenues:”
“You cannot deal with the size deficits that this country is confronting by simply cutting the discretionary side of the budget… You’ve got to, as the president’s made clear, if you’re going to look at those size deficits, you’ve got to look at the mandatory side of the budget, which is two-thirds of the federal budget. And you also have to look at revenues as part of that answer.”
This was Panetta’s first news conference since he undertook the role of defense secretary in July. Other Pentagon officials seconded his concerns.
The Pentagon has requested $553 billion from Congress for its 2012 base budget. That request does not include money to fight the country’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A defense official estimates lawmakers will cut that base number by around $27 billion in order to achieve their goal of trimming $350 billion off of the defense budget over the next 10 years. Those looming automatic cuts would mean an additional $50 billion to $60 billion annually out of the department’s base budget, an official said.
The Pentagon’s 2012 fiscal year begins in October.
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Comments (65)
fueldawg23
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 10:17amby him saying the need revenues show why he is put in that position. He is tool for the admintration. It is a classic move to get their ideas spread around and push it through different mediums. They moved Gates out because he would not go along with the agenda of the admistration. They want people to think how bad it would be if it would happen to the military. i think is brainwashing! It is so sad how some of these guys that consistanly fail keep getting jobs.
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 11:08amEverytime you hear “doomsday”, “unprecedented”, “first-ever”, “historic” or “crisis” from a politician, you know he’s lying.
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:40pmOK NOW, ALL YOU REPUBLICANS…
Here is a classic example of why I believe that most McCain-like “hawks” are really RINOs at heart. When it comes to Military, they are FISCAL LIBERALS who are more than willing to throw burdensome taxes on us rather than cutting the massive and continued WASTE of military escapades.
I still want to know where that 1.2 TRILLION went to, that Rumsfield admitted, turned up missing. Thanks RINOS, for backing Obozo on raising taxes to throw more good money after bad, to fund the latest Libya BS!
REPUBLICAN HAWKS = RINO PROGRESSIVES (its no different if they are stealing America’s pocketbook for Social Programs or Military escapades) — stealing is stealing — its a LIBERAL THING.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:15pmHow can Satan and the NWO bankers enslave
Report Post »and invoke Marshall law if we cut things like the TSA CIA NSA
give us more money or I am warning you we will have to let people have more freedom !!!
I warn you all Raise taxes so I can use the money to imprison you all for sex and slave labor
this cost money you know.
Shotgun167
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:27pmSupport our troops.
Bring them HOME.
Sending our boys to foreign lands to get shot protecting them or the interests of multi-national corporations is NOT patriotic.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:31pm.
Report Post »Military cuts? Hell yes.
Why do we fund 750 bases around the world?
That’s insane. Keep 20, close the rest.
No one will notice.
Pestie67
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:10amStart with your salary and we’ll consider something.
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 10:05amPannetta should be lambasting his boos to get his sorry AZZZ in gear and get to work on Appropriate Cuts…. halfway there Mr.P..
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 10:02amWhat he said it true, what he said of the CIA was true…but he will do what the president wants. He’s a numbers man and will cut just as he cut and beat up the CIA. Say one thing in public and do another thing at the desk. Same ole, same ole.
Report Post »Hoopster4
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:59amSomebody needs to call leon before a congressional committee and b1tch slap him into line. He‘s a bureaucrat and is too big for his britches when he starts telling the legislative branch that their legislation is ’unacceptable’.
Did this moron ever read the constitution? Not the constitution of Kenya, the US Constitution? We already know that his boss, Barack Hussein didn’t.
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 10:05amYou don’t get it. He says one thing to please the agency just before he takes it down. Pay attention. He’s on the Ranch and is in charge of protecting the Ranch but he is not the Rancher in charge.
Report Post »junkmaninohio
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:53amWe currently have 900 military installations (not counting those in the US) around the world. Do we really need that many military bases? I mean why do we have troops still stationed in Germany and Japan. Both countries have their own military and are quite capable of defending themselves. Why do we continue to fight in Afganistan and Iraq when both governments hate our guts, steal our tax money and kill our troops? Why don’t we get out of there and save our blood and treasure.
Report Post »bigbro
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 10:28pmRight on. Why do we think we have to have bases around the world? Let those countries protect themselves.
Report Post »sbleve
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:27amRemember Pres 43 keeping the dysfunctional Sec Def Rumsfeld in position up to and thru the 07′ election? The people spoke in that election, loud and clear – get out of dodge, dude. So the then president terminated that SecDef? Why then and not before???? Pennetta is the go to fix it guy that is boldly a fundamental disciple.
The next Stimulus fraud (all are borrowed money other wise there is no need for one) – Infrastructure rebuild. Hwy national tax fraud – perpetrated by politicians.
California, via a pocket pool sensation, diverted the Interstate Hwy funding into the general fund. Intentionally allowing that then dedicated fund – fix and repair interstate hwy, allowing spending of transit, b-cycle paths, interchange beautification etc etc. Out of it came the most predictable outcome – broke, double down broke. (incidentally but has nothing to do with anything, an earlier governor signed a bill that provoked out of control benefit package making, and the people re elected this same governor, 30 years later)
It appears all of the states have in most part done the same dance. Kind of like when all of the interstates were speed reduced to 55 -by offering bribes and more bribes from Congress. Bribery of any sort by a national elected appointed civil service person should be a felony.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 6:00pmyes Rumsfeld , just think what the DOD could have done with the
Report Post »missing 2.3 trillion dollars in sept 10th 2001 ????
GMI
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:05amHere’s an idea, cut the high ranking paper shufflers in each service. Every service member knows the services are overloaded with self-important rear echelon types with fancy titles who accomplish nothing. Cut the pentagon staff, the country doesn’t need all these paper shufflers, spend the money on those that do the work!!!
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 6:03pmjust give them some more money
The TSA is at it again. Putting in danger and infringing on the rights of every day Americans attempting to go about their daily business is now par for the course in the nation’s airports.
This time the agency faces a formal complaint over an incident Yesterday at Denver International Airport where a TSO screener confiscated a pregnant woman’s insulin and ice packs, claiming they were “at risk for explosives.”
Report Post »http://www.infowars.com/tsa-illegally-confiscates-pregnant-womans-insulin-as-explosives-risk/
burr99
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:03amHow many people have a clue about the difference between “discretionary” and “non-discretionary” spending? As he says, 2/3 of fed spending is on the non side. Specifically Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare. All of them have built in yearly raises (in spending). And none of them have to be approved. They are truly autopilot entitlements, and they are bankrupting our country! The left always wants to paint the military as a spending problem. The military budget must be approved every year. Amazing. The leaches of the country just keep receiving, and those that protect us, must keep begging for funds.
Report Post »sbleve
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:33amIt is amazing that politicians believe that their handiwork of entitlements are untouchables. Big government has no solutions but the simplistic Keynesian religion. We as a nation delete the military and give each citizen a sling shot, the military budget $$ will not meet the projected entitlement budget growth 2050.
Report Post »sbleve
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:01amLloyd Layman’s tactical rules-fire fighting. These should be the biblical precursor to a national politician. What is important, Ichiban number one? Life of the Nation or Political power?
Indebtedness will terminate America. New revenue is not a guaranteed absolute. When revenue falls spending must fall. Spending-automatic increases based on a notion that the crop yield will be the same season in and season out is the water coloring portrait of Lenin/Stalin in a typhoon down pour.
Profiling is the skill that permeates success. In fire fighting risk vs benifit is the essential profile of a decision that hinges on flexibility. National government is flirting with terminal disease. The present ‘budget deal’ is no deal at all, but the extension of can kicking.
Report Post »Whostolemypig
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:53amMr, McGoo Panetta, funny how it works out when people get tired of losing live and spending their money on a war to control parts of the world for the big banking interest.
Report Post »Cheetosareus
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:43amI’m positive every department in the government has fraud – waste – and abuse. I have no problem with finding it and cutting it out. I do object to a trigger in this debt bill that AUTOMATICALLY CUTS THE MILITARY BUDGET WITH NO PLAN. I believe in peace through strength. The Arab/Muslim world and their Communist friends have formed a coalition to bring America to it’s knees.
Watch Obama. He said in his book “Dreams from My Father” : “I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.” You have been warned.
Report Post »Shotgun167
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:33pmYou call it fraud, waste and abuse. Someone else calls it their job.
We have to cut everywhere, including the military. We don’t need to be policing the entire world, and tell France to use their own citizen’s blood and treasure if they want to get rid of Kadafi.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:39amI have a cut for you! How about Panetta?
Report Post »Secessionista
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:23amThe FAA guy was doing the same thing yesterday. These government workers are not supposed to be lobbying congress, especially while on the clock. It is ILLEGAL. You can be sure Obama is telling these guys to come out and put pressure on congress to boost their spending. Obama wants to entrap everyone to have to raise taxes, but of course, only on the “rich”, aka those of us with jobs.
The head of NASA is not allowed to go on camera to scream about his budget cuts. When he spoke his mind about that a couple of years ago, he got fired instantly.
Obama is orchestrating these guys parading in front of the microphone. They are his puppets. Panetta should be fired for that reason only – the head f the military should never be a politician’s puppet.
Report Post »nysparkie
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:21amOK, Now I’m on the Right Politically. When I want or have to. Not all the time, no. You still can kill babies. You can still throw good money at neighborhood activists. Ya, pay lazy do nothing to do nothing.
Report Post »But now that I’m in charge of Defense, No cuts here. Not with me on the watch. (I do agree with him on this)
Ron_WA
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:13amAs a career military man I have no issue w/ cutting the military budget just cut the missions in proportion to the budget cuts.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:43pmDon’t you just love mission creep.
Report Post »Cheetosareus
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:13am“thegodfather
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:02am
Sorry..no sacred cows when it comes to slashing that bloated budget. Everyone takes a hit…especially defense, social security and medicare. Nobody is “untouchable”. Time to bring the pain”
===
Report Post »Not until they cut the grants and gifts to all the “social justice” organizations feeding at the government trough and all the bloated government departments.
Cheetosareus
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:07amI’m beginning to think Leon Panetta is the only one in the Obama administration with any sense. If it hadn’t been for him Obama would still be dragging his feet about going in to kill Bin Ladin. I also don’t like this gun this so called bi-partisan deal to raise the debt ceiling has put at the head of Americans. If the trigger is pulled we lose more of our military strength and become even more pathetic. Obama did say, on Meet the Press in 2008, that if elected he would disarm America to a level acceptable to the Arab world. In one of his fund raising speeches on his birthday he complained about the “tough democracy” getting in his way. When will this country wake up and see Obama is pubic enemy #1.
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:21amWhen will people wake up and realize the Global elite are public enemy #1 ?
Report Post »They own almost ALL of our politicians. Republican, Democrat and ….. Leon Panetta.
They are all actors of the NWO. you are watching a “Scripted Scene” and think it is a “Docu-drama”.
The “Republicans” are not coming to save the day. If Bush were back in office, our country would be going down the tubes at the same rate of speed.
13th Imam
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:26amLeon is a dedicated DEMOCRAT foot soldier. He , As Defense Sec. gets a Free Pass. He can pretend to be upset , but is just playing the DEMOCRATS game. When Barry’s time is up in Nov 2012, and the adults get back in charge, he will be welcomed back into the DEMOCRAT clubhouse, with a hearty back slap, and a new job. Just like Van Jones.
Report Post »sbleve
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:46amTriggers. Some are creepy, others drag roughly then slop open. The worst of the worst operate like a door hydraulic closer that hits you in the butt 100% of the time.
Mandatory budget/auto-increase is the root to chaos deficit spending. Revenue will only postpone the reappearance of the next budget crisis. Politicized budgeting that has automatic increases within mandatory expenditures is the cloak of the Keynesian religion.
One such example, Research funding is off the table the President has said, climate research has automatic increases. Even when there is evidence to show that the direction of the government funded grant/NASA research is going perhaps in the wrong direction tunnel vision. Compiling all of the auto increases is the single identifiable problem.
Report Post »Shotgun167
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:39pmHow are bases in Germany, England and Japan “keeping America safe”?
Report Post »I_Hate_Libs
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:04amDidn’t Panetta just come out and say that al qaeda is virtually defeated? And Egypt is in a better place, Iran has nukes, Syria seems to like their govt, so what in the world does he need all the money for?
The horror of the Democrat mind.
Report Post »thegodfather
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:02amSorry..no sacred cows when it comes to slashing that bloated budget. Everyone takes a hit…especially defense, social security and medicare. Nobody is “untouchable”. Time to bring the pain
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:15amThe Fed Gov is living off of what is coming in to the SS fund. If they would Dedicate that SS stayed in the SS account, and started a dedicated military account, /most citizens would see that the rest of the DEMOCRATS slush fund is unbearable.Especially when the 47% of Takers, don’t contribute ANYTHING, sometimes profiting.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 7:04pmSS goes to pay the federal reserve
Report Post »search US bankrupt 1933
ProbIemSoIver
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 7:56amThis guy? lol. He knows the Government is broke. He and his Military Industrial Complex associates are the reason for the economic state of our Union. He and his global elite friends have no financial issues. Therefor, This must be some more play for the camera. A cry to the useful Idiots, to help continue the bilking of our Countries last two cents.
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 7:53amAll Democrats are tax and spend. Would we expect anything else from them like a balanced budget and less spending. How can they accomplish what they want if they don’t keep taxing and spending. Democrats are Jhadist of the American Republic, they terrorize senior citizens and the military. They hold our health hostage to Obamacare. How does that feel you Democrat SOBs.
Report Post »louise
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 7:47amMaybe with less money there would be no more unconstitutional wars. I think this would strengthen our homeland security because the money would be spent on protecting this nation….not the entire world.
Report Post »Then maybe when we are called on for a true war (as opposed to an orchestrated war), we will be fiscally prepared to go and complete the mission and then come home without nation-building. Some people think I am too hard in my views on this. But I don’t think so.
Encinon
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 7:35amHe is so so right with regards to taxes. It’s coming soon but we desperately need much higher tax rates. There is still too much income inequality between those of us who don’t work and those of you who do so. However, he took a bad job. We need to start removing funding from the military as it is by the biggest waste of money and promotes inequality.
Report Post »IntransigentMind
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 7:54amEncinon: It’s a good thing we have a few communists like you haunting this place. Few Americans would otherwise believe you folks are real. You serve as a perfect example of what is wrong in this country. Keep it up, comrade.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:01amLeon, Leon, Leon
Report Post »DEMOCRATS Hate the military, Although it is one of the Few requirements spelled out in the United States Constitution, the DEMOCRATS always want to slash military funding. . The fact that Big Sam has bankrupted the shrinking number of actual Taxpayers, DEMOCRATS want to bankrupt the rest. All in the name of Social Justice. Maybe you should demand the tribute from the 47% of possible Taxpayers that don’t contribute Anything to the Federal system.Remember Leon, The DEMOCRATS Hate the military. Barry hates the Corpsemen.
NHwinter
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:12amEncinon – the primary duty of the president and government is to protect America and its citizens. How could spending less on the military accomplish that. The government is involved in so many unconstitutional entitlements and that is exactly where we should be cutting, not the military. You’d be the first to cry for help if we were ever attacked on a large scale. I do think we should get out of all ME wars and start protecting our borders, but that will never happen under Obama.
Report Post »Fun_jumper
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:55pmInstead of higher rates, lets do away with the income tax all together and implement The Fair Tax plan. It would bring in more revenue and take the governments power to target particular groups. It would also greatly increase the peoples awareness as to the high cost of government spending. More skin in the game is what we need to control the ever increasing size and influence of our government.
Report Post »Shotgun167
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:44pmThe reason there is income inequality between those that don’t work and those that do, is because those that don’t work…DON’T WORK. How can you have income if you don’t work? Why SHOULD you get income if you don’t work? What is the point of working if someone will just give you the same amount of money for doing nothing? Who is going to do the work, if the working have half of what they make taken to be given to those that choose to do nothing?
You are an evil person that promotes slavery. We fought a war to get rid of that scourge.
Report Post »Servant Of YHVH
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 7:31amYes, you evil politicians. How could you even think of taking away Panetta’s “discretionary spending”, how is going to ever spend that money to help obama’s campaign, help pay for his “discretionary pleasures” and whatever else he wants to do with it.
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 7:29amAfter holding our seniors hostage, the Socialist Democrats are now holding our soldiers hostage. THIS is unacceptable.
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