Originally Posted by
SASless
The US Defense Budget runs about four percent of Gross National Product (GNP) now as compared to ten percent GNP during Vietnam years.
Thus the burden the US Economy is carrying now is less than one half of that during the late '60's and early '70's.
The US economy's growth makes the major difference in the percentage number.
The other factor that has come to bear is the lack of procurement over the past decade or so as the result of the "peace benefit" after the end of the Cold War.
http://www.strategypage.com/dls/articles/2005919049.asp
Perhaps the "if it was good enough for Pershing crowd...." within the US Army had embraced change instead of fighting it....the Army would be in a much better condition today instead of where it is.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/milit...army_1-13.html
One word. Ouch.
Think the economy could cope with 10% of GDP expenditure now? I very seriously doubt it....
I am not anti-american, but it has to be noted that China could cripple you overnight by dumping the dollar in preference for commodities/other currencies (euro?)....
As in Iraq, unfortunately the US are a step behind in the big picture, IE "wars" can be fought economically, Politically and militarily... And with national debt figures like that, I would say unfortunately, you are screwed. (same as us in a lot of ways if you look at debt figures for the UK as % of GDP)
