Defense Spending and Some Perspective

When it comes to possible budget cuts, one area that receives attention is the Defense Dept. budget.


To put the current defense budget in perspective, let's look at a few charts, courtesy of The Foreign Policy Initiative (see www.foreignpolicyi.org/content/defense-spending-super-committee-and-price-greatness)


First, over the period since WW 2, the driver in increased federal spending has been entitlements, not defense.







Second, defense spending as a percentage of all federal spending is near an historic low.





Third, defense spending has already been subject to a series of reductions under the current Administration, with long-term cuts amounting to about $850 billion.  In a very real sense, the Defense Department may be able to say that it "already gave at the office."


May there still be some "fat" to be cut?  


Maybe.


Has the defense budget already taken significant cuts? 


Absolutely.