The defense budget of ~$754 Billion uses up about 80% of the total revenues from the IRS.
The remainder of the US budget is borrowed.
Anyone here think that the 'defense' budget isn't the highest priority right now?
If it weren't maybe people would be willing to admit that it alone is bankrupting us. yet in all the budget cutting discussions I see and hear, welfare and other entitlements are the most commonly blamed. Its like 'defense' is a sacred cow that must not be touched and this cow must grow by 7% a year or we will all lose our freedom.

yes those guys in Afghanistan are doing a great job of protecting my freedom <sarcasm>.
If the armed forces were tasked with that, they would have DC under siege right now or it would already be captured and all the liberty-takers would be in Gitmo right now.
Taxes ain't goin down, I don't give a crap what new 'plan' is devised. VAT will just be added to our current system IMO.
Extend and Pretend can't go on forever.
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A nations military should only be used in a nations self defense, not to entertain liberal cravings for shaping poor nations into images of themselves by force. -- Eastbay
Shooting the messenger is typical when you are incapable of arguing against them. -- Airline Pilot