Yearly Archives: 2017
National Security Threats vs. Defense Cuts by Peter Huessy
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The nation’s media, who seem to assume that Americans are weary of war, rather than that they are desperately frustrated at being infantilized and lied to, rarely discuss what defense programs need more investment. If anything, they discuss what defense programs should be killed.
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Defense spending grew from $265 billion in 1996 to $300 billion in 2000, a 13% increase, equivalent to a $76 billion annual increase today. And the plan to balance the budget reached its goal in 1997. Why can America not do that again? Reform tax policy. Restore a sound defense budget plan.
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“You think defending this nation is expensive; try not defending it.” — Senator Ted Cruz, Nov. 10, 2015.
Especially as ISIS, Iran and others openly threaten the United States, it seems increasingly urgent for this administration and the next to determine the level of defense spending America should support.
A new study by the American Enterprise Institute, (AEI), authored primarily by defense experts Tom Donnelly and Mackenzie Eaglen initially supports using as a minimum baseline the defense five year plan proposed in 2012, by then Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates.
Unfortunately, too often in Washington a discussion of defense spending frequently defaults into arguments over whether major tax rate increases must be part of the bargain. This failure is in part due to policy proposals to increase defense spending often being linked to with other proposals — to cut tax rates, reform entitlements and balance the budget. Combined, these proposals are often described as unworkable and radical, and are thus easily dismissed.
A debate over how much to “tax the rich” lends itself to easy demagoguery. And that attracts politicians and their supporters to call for the redistribution of income. In short, if everything in the drive-by media newsroom can default to the progressive, Marxist narrative, it will.
In addition, the nation’s media, who seem to assume that Americans are weary of war, rather than that they are desperately frustrated at being infantilized and lied to, rarely discuss what defense programs need more investment. If anything, they discuss what defense programs should be reduced or killed. For example, Keith Payne, the President of the National Institute of Public Policy in Fairfax, Virginia and a former top DOD official, told a conference on September 17, 2015 that during the past few years, media stories advocating cutting nuclear deterrent programs outnumbered those pushing for modernization by more than 200 to 1.
Retired Air Force Lieutenant General David Deptula, Dean of the Air Force Association’s (AFA) Mitchell Institute and formerly the first Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, explained at an AFA conference on bomber policy on November 10, that the U.S. needs to have a discussion of “first principals” — asking what defense of the country one should have, to accomplish what ends. Then one can determine what it would cost.[1] The first task in the Constitution is “to provide for the common defense.”
To be sure, it is also necessary to have an intelligent discussion on how to pay for such a defense.
That raises the further question of how best to generate the economic growth and jobs needed to raise the revenues needed to pay for these defense bills. If the U.S. is serious about balancing the federal budget in the next decade, as the new Speaker of the House, Paul D. Ryan, supports, that debate should be held soon. The debate should be about what smart tax, regulatory and spending policies would yield highest levels of revenue.
But does the U.S. really need to increase tax rates more on “the rich,” to meet its defense obligations?
Already, the current tax system is extraordinarily progressive. For example, while the top 1% earned 18.9% of national income they paid an astounding 37.4% of all federal taxes, while the top 5% earned 33.8% of national income but paid 59.1% of all federal taxes. By contrast, the bottom half of Americans received 11.7% of national income yet paid only 2.4% of federal taxes.
Few Americans, however, seem to know that every year — with no change in Federal tax rates — the U.S. government dramatically increases its “tax take” from the U.S. economy.
Despite the current economic recovery being the slowest in the post World War II era, revenue collected by the U.S. in 2014-2015 was still $230 billion higher than the year before.[2]
Obviously, a strong economy at near full employment would generate record levels of revenue, even when tax rates are lower (such as a 35% top tax rate) than in other years.[3]
The media and political discussion should include what to do with annual revenue increases that, even now in a slow-growth economy, are climbing each year by nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars.
For defense, if one accepts the recommendation of AEI that a $611 billion defense budget for FY2016 be adopted, as proposed by former Defense Secretary Robert Gates in 2012, it would boost the current administration’s February 2015 defense request of $585 billion by $26 billion.
It appears, in fact, that Congress and the administration have finally agreed on a new defense spending level of $607 billion, which does bring the U.S. significantly closer to the initial goal of $611 billion proposed by AEI’s Donnelly and Eaglen. This new annual increase in defense spending of about $60 billion above the previous budget caps is welcome, but amounts to the appropriation for more defense spending of only about 25% of the annual increase in federal revenue.
In short, it does not appear “radical” at all to devote some of those resources for U.S. national security, especially at this time.
It also does not seem “radical” to question the debates about taxing the rich, which are usually accompanied by arguments about who pays what share of federal revenue, and whether “the rich” make “too much” money.
Recent history has some lessons for the U.S. In 1996, the U.S. cut capital gains tax rates; lowered taxes on inheritances; expanded individual retirement accounts and increased the child tax credit. Domestic non-defense spending was curtailed. Nevertheless, defense spending grew from $265 billion in 1996 to $300 billion in 2000, a 13% increase, equivalent to a $76 billion annual increase today. And the plan to balance the budget reached its goal in 1997.
Why can America not do that again? Reform tax policy. Take people from welfare to work. Restore a sound defense budget plan. And balance the budget.
As said by U.S. presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz, “You think defending this nation is expensive; try not defending it.” How radical is that?
[1] Lt Gen David Deptula, remarks at the AFA November 10, 2015 “
[2] The budget, tax and GDP numbers are from Christopher Chantrill’s website. This site provides current and historical budget, tax and GDP data far superior in format and detail than any other source, government or private. You can also find the revenue numbers from the Treasury tables posted on the White House website.
[3] These revenue figures are for taxes collected from all tax rate levels. The top tax rates are for reference purposes and illustrate the key to greater revenue is greater economic growth.
Nahintwarane,naho intwari zirananiwe.
Amakuru agera ku nyangenewss.com aturuka mu nzego zikorana n’umukuru w’igihugu cy’Urwanda Paul Kaga,abatanze aya makuru bakaba bitifuza ko,amazina yabo yashyirwa ahagaragara nk’uko basanzwe batugezaho amakuru akorerwa mu mbere,baratangaza ko,abagize inzego nkuru z’ubutasi,bakoranye inama n’umukuru w’igihugu bemeza ko bagiye gutanga million 15$ y’america kugirango anyagizwe mubikorwa byogusenya abatavuga rumwe na leta y’Urwanda.
Aya makuru aribanda cyane kuri fdlr na rnc,bivugwa ko,kugez’ubu,aribo bantu bakomeje guteza umutekano mucye imbere mu gihugu,aya madollar akaba zanyanyagizwa mubarwana shyaka bayo mashyaka,aho kagame yemeza ko,ntamuntu ujya wanga amafaranga kabone niyo yasabwa kwica umuvandimwe we,ntiyatinya kubikora.
Inama yemeje ko,abzajya bananirana kwakira amadollar,bazajya bahabwa utuzi twa Munyuza,ngo ariko abazem,era kuba ingaruzwa muheto,abo ntakibazo,ibi kagame akaba abikora ashingiye kuburambe bujyanye n’ubwicanyi yagiye akorera abahutu aho bagiye bamara benewabo kubera gukunda amafaranga.
Sabahutu gusa ahubwo nabatutsi nabo ni uko bamaze kumara abavandimwe babo kubera gukunda amafaranga ndetse n’icyubahiro dore bizezwa no guhabwa imyanya myiza muri repubulika ya lll itemewe namategeko.
Aya mafaranga akaba azacishwa muri z’ambasade za leta y’Urwanda zikorera ku isi hose,amakuru akomeza avuga yuko,andi ashobora kuzanyuzwa muri za ambasade y’Abarundi,ndetse nabamwe mubagande bakorana na leta y’Urwanda byahafi.
Abatavuga rumwe na leta y’Urwanda bakaba babonye ikizamini gikomeye kuko abazagitsinda bashobora kuba Atari benshi,cyane ko,abenshi bemera ko,kaga Paul akomeye bitazoroha kuzamukuraho igihe cyose hataraboneka umutwe w’ingabo urwanya leta y’Urwanda nk’uko fpr nayo yarwanije Habyarimana.
Kaga Paul Yemeza yuko benshi bavugishwa n’inzara,nyamara wanabyitegereza ugasanga ar’ukuri dushingiye kumateka yabanyapolitike bameze nka Me Evode,Rwigema Pierre celestini,nabandi benshi bagiye barangwa n’ubugwari bakemera intoniorano bakava mubyo bitaga ko babyizeraga.
Iyi mico yogukunda amafaranga aho gukunda igihugu usanga itandukanye cyane namateka yabanyafurika baharaniye ubwigenge nka Nyerere,Rumumba,Mandela,Rudahigwa,Nkwame Nkuruma,nabandi benshi tutarondora,repubulika y’Urwanda uko imyaka ishira niko ijyenda ishimangira umuco w’ikinyoma no kumena amaraso ngo bemera ko,nta ngoma itica.
Ariko iyo uganiriye nabahanga muri politike yo mu karere bavuga ko,kwica ar’ikimenyetso cy’ubvwoba no kutiyizera mu miyoborere y’igihugu,bityo ubikora ahora ahangayitse cyane atinya ko,yazakurwa ku ngoma bityo bikamusaba kwica umuntu wese uba afite ibitekerezo binyuranye n’ingoma y’igitugu.
Ngiyo imico yabarepubulike,akaba arinaho itandukaniye n’ubwami bugendera ku itegeko shinga,aho ubwami bwubahiriza amategeko arengera uburenganzira bw’ikiremwa muntu,ndetse hakubahirizwa namategeko y’ubutabera.Agapfa kaburiwe n’impongo,ngaho abafite ibifu binini mugize amahirwe mubonye ibyo mugiye gushyiramo,ariko ibyaha byabamwe bigaragara hakiri kare naho ibyabandi bizagaragara hanyuma.Muryoherwe.
Na nyina wundi abyara umuhungu.
Kuwa 23rd Gucurasi 2014,ubwo twandikaga inkuru ijyanye n’uburyo leta y’Urwanda irimo gushakisha inzira zose zishoboka ngo yice Umwami w’Urwanda Kigeli wa V Ndahindurwa ubu ubarizwa mu gihugu cy’America,aho amaze imyaka irenga 53 ari mubuhungiro.
Tumaze kugaragaza yuko leta yarekuye milioni $ 3000000 zigiye guhabwa abantu bahawe misiyo yoguhitana Nyir’Urwanda,amazina yabo bantu tukaba twarayagize ibanga,kubera impamvu z’umutekano w’uwatanze amakuru,byatumye leta y’Urwanda ishakisha Hacker kugirango yinjire muri e-mail y’umuhanuzi Majeshi Leon bakeka ko muri e-mail ye,bashobora gusangamo amwe mu mabanga bifuza no kugirango bamenye uwaba yatanze ayo makuru yari yaragizwe ibanga rikomeye.
Ikinyamakuru inyangenews gikomeje kubera inzitizi leta y’Urwanda mu migambi yabo mibi,cyane cyane ubuhanuzi bumaze kubabera akabarore kuko nta nakimwe bazageraho,usibye gutegereza umujinya w’Imana yabavuzeho ikawubasukaho kugirango babe akabarore imbere y’amahanga.
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Mysterious Crop Circle Appears In Wheat Field.
A mysterious giant crop circle has appeared overnight in a field belonging to a German farmer.
It has attracted thousands of visitors from far and wide who have flocked to the scene to sing, dance and meditate within the ornate design.
One observer said: “I believe you can only rule out, you can only ask yourself, what can be definitely ruled out as a cause for this.
“The newspapers are reporting that it was college students who raked the field, but when you see the elaborate design of the circles from above, that seems very unlikely. Those circles are looking very good.”
Another visitor added: “I think it’s almost impossible for this to appear overnight, and to do it in such an exact and precise manner. How is this possible?”
Measuring 75 metres in diameter (246 feet), it was discovered by a balloonist flying over the wheat field near Weilheim.
Farmer Christoph Huttner, who owns the field, told the dpa news agency it was not his creation, but may have been the work of students on summer holiday.
He added he was unsure whether he would be keeping the crop circle.
Muzunga ya fpr mu banyarwanda bo mu bwoko bw’Abahutu.
Amakuru aturuka mu rwagasabo atangwa n’umuntu wizewe cyane utashatse ko amazina ye ashyirwa ahagaragara,uyu muntu akaba azi neza amakuru ya Dusabe Jean Bosco umaze amazi (20) afunzwe na shebuja Gen.Jack nziza,amakuru agera ku inyangeNews,yemeza neza ntagushidikanya ko,Bosco azize guhemukura abahutu bene wabo.
Bosco Ni Umuhungu W,umusaza Witwa Sake Pascal, na Nyina akitwa Bibiyana, batuye ahitwa I Cyegera Mumurenge Wa Gatumba Mu Karere Ka Ngororero! Akaba Umuhutu rwimbi utavangiye!.
Akaba yari afite akabari I nyabugogo Kwa Mutangana aho yakoreraga akazi ko kwigisha abanyarwanda bo mu bwoko bw’Abahutu, cyane cyene. Akaba avuka za Ngororero,yarashinzwe kwigisha abahutu kuyoboka Fpr. Akaba n,umugabo wa Mukandasira Caritas nawe wo mu murenge wa Gatumba <ngororero> mu cyahoze ari Kibirira ubu yabaye Guverineri Nk,igikoresho cya Fpr,yabanje kuba Secretary wa Biruta mu nteko nshinga mategeko, yaje kugenda azamurwa mu ntera buhoro buhoro.
Kugeza ubwo yaje guhabwa umwanya wa Goverineri kubera umugabo yar’umukozi wa Gen.Jack Nziza.Kugirango bakomeze kwigisha Abahutu kuyoboka fpr aho kuyoboka fdlr,amaze kumenyekana ko,ashinzwe gukora ubumaneko kandi ko,ashinzwe kugurisha bene wabo bab’Abahutu,nibwo Visi perezida akaba na General mu ngabo za RDF Jack Nziza,yaje kumuta muri yombi kugirango adahunga akamena amabanga yose uko bakoranye nyuma yuko Bosco yabwiye umuntu yitaga inshuti ye,ko,ashobora guhunga ngo kuko amaze kubona ko,iyi leta imaze kunanirwa.
Dukomeje gukora iperereza niba haba har’ibindi byaha aregwa,cyangwa niba nawe azahimbirwa ibyaha nk’uko bakunze kubikorera abanyarwanda bose baba bamaze gutahura ikinyoma cya fpr inkotanyi.
