It might be easy to make the argument, but that's because it's flawed, not to mention simplistic. Protecting freedom/liberty/capitalism isn't necessarily the job of defense projects alone. Defense projects are wasteful, and they are outdated by the time they are finished.
Consider the 250 billion that got spent on StarWars I (Reagan), and the upcoming 200 billion that will be spent on StarWars II (George II). Yet, missile defense is still a fantasy, whatever the heads on the hill want us to believe.
Then, consider that for 500 billion dollars, you could send 12.5 million kids to get 4-year degrees at colleges/universities that cost 10K per year. These students are the people that will protect our freedom, liberty, and capitalist society for years to come, whether they wear olive drab or not.
Which is a better weapon against our enemies? -- an intelligent, well-educated populace or a missle defense system that will never work against a threat that doesn't exist.
(Answer: the former)
I know it's just one example, and one can argue that StarWars I broke the Soviets, but I mean to point out that there are better places to spend money, places that give a better return on the investment than pie-in-the-sky defense projects.
I like guns AND butter, in equal portions. -- ninjagin
Slashdot Mirror
It might be easy to make the argument, but that's because it's flawed, not to mention simplistic. Protecting freedom/liberty/capitalism isn't necessarily the job of defense projects alone. Defense projects are wasteful, and they are outdated by the time they are finished.
Consider the 250 billion that got spent on StarWars I (Reagan), and the upcoming 200 billion that will be spent on StarWars II (George II). Yet, missile defense is still a fantasy, whatever the heads on the hill want us to believe.
Then, consider that for 500 billion dollars, you could send 12.5 million kids to get 4-year degrees at colleges/universities that cost 10K per year. These students are the people that will protect our freedom, liberty, and capitalist society for years to come, whether they wear olive drab or not.
Which is a better weapon against our enemies? -- an intelligent, well-educated populace or a missle defense system that will never work against a threat that doesn't exist.
(Answer: the former)
I know it's just one example, and one can argue that StarWars I broke the Soviets, but I mean to point out that there are better places to spend money, places that give a better return on the investment than pie-in-the-sky defense projects.
I like guns AND butter, in equal portions.
-- ninjagin