In an article for conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, former Sen. Jim Talent outlines why be believes the U.S. government needs to build up a larger military force and support it with significant funding increases.
Talent compares this point in history to a similar situation that President Reagan faced in 1981.
"The strategic buildup Reagan initiated made possible the end of the Cold War, and the peace and prosperity that America enjoyed throughout the 1990s, and up until 9/11," Talent writes.
Talent says the military faces a grave situation at this time. ". . . Because of decisions over the last 15 years -- driven more by budgetary than by military considerations -- the Army is too small, the Navy and Marine Corps may well be too small, and much of the equipment in all the services is too old and increasingly unreliable. Without a substantial increase in procurement spending, beginning now and sustained over the next five to ten years -- an increase measured not in billions but in tens of billions of dollars per year above current estimates -- the U.S. will be unable to modernize its forces to the degree necessary to preserve its security with the necessary margin of safety," Talent writes.
What does Missouri's former Senator recommend to fix the problem?
*Adopt the President's 2008 budget, which would boost defense spending by more than 10% over the next year.
*Increase military budget at least $30 billion higher per year in the future to fund new fighting vehicles, submarines and choppers
*On top of the $30 B, invest about $4 billion per year or more in increased Army force structure
*Maintain defense spending at no less than 4% of GDP thereafter
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