Read: Dan Rather’s Response To Trump’s Massive $54B Military Spending Increase
As news came out today that Donald Trump’s proposed budget would include a massive increase in military spending while at the same time dramatic cuts in almost all other departments of the government, Dan Rather took to Facebook to pen his thoughts.
Rather started by noting that, “you never met anyone who has more respect for the American military,” than him. Rather said that Trump’s proposal would miss the mark, saying that his budget “runs the risk of being a dangerously narrow view of ‘national security.'”
“I believe in a strong and well resourced military. But wise government is about making choices,” Rather continued. Rather made the case that part of governing is about making difficult choices and said he does not see wisdom in Trump’s choices here. “I believe we will be a less safe, less prosperous, less fair nation if they are allowed to go forward,” Rather said.
Here is Dan Rather’s full statement on the Trump budget:
Let me begin by making it clear that you never met anyone who has more respect for the American military. And I long have been a strong believer in military preparedness; a believer that we had better be ready to fight because we may have to.
With that as prelude, however, I respectfully and humbly submit the following:
The United States became the most powerful nation in the history of the world in part because of our military might, but not entirely, not even nearly.
The news being floated of President Donald Trump’s budget priorities represent a misunderstanding of the nature of the threats we face. The press reports say it is going to be a huge increase in “national security.” $54 billion to be exact to the military, with that money being offset by deep cuts in other government functions..
But this runs the risk of being a dangerously narrow view of “national security.” In my mind, and I believe the historic record will show, national security can also be measured in a strong economy and an educated population. It can be measured in protecting ourselves from disease and pushing the boundaries of science. It can be measured with vigilant and intelligent law enforcement, protections of our civil rights, housing for the poor, and robust innovations in agriculture and energy. The announcement of deep cuts to the already minuscule budget of foreign aid makes for a talking point with worrisome consequences.
I believe in a strong and well resourced military. But wise government is about making choices. These are often difficult choices. There is only so much money to go around. In the choices announced here I do not see wisdom. I believe we will be a less safe, less prosperous, less fair nation if they are allowed to go forward. At the very least there should be careful,measured debate about our priorities, with the goal of reaching a national consensus. This is too important for something created in chaos and hurriedly rammed through on a foundation of rhetoric.
