this post was submitted on 21 Apr 2026
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269
Trump wants $1.5tn for the Pentagon – and cuts to healthcare and housing | Steven Greenhouse (www.theguardian.com)
submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by Sunflier@lemmy.world to c/politics@lemmy.world
30 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. The cost of one modern heavy bomber is this: a modern brick school in more than 30 cities. It is two electric power plants, each serving a town of 60,000 population. It is two fine, fully equipped hospitals. It is some fifty miles of concrete pavement. We pay for a single fighter with a half-million bushels of wheat. We pay for a single destroyer with new homes that could have housed more than 8,000 people. . . . This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron.

-The Chance for Peace speech, Dwight D. Eisenhower, April 16, 1953

How far we have fallen. But . . .

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[–] notwhoyouthink@lemmy.zip 33 points 1 week ago (1 children)

What a surprise, the Epstein class continues to bill us to protect themselves from us.

[–] Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The funny thing is they'll never have enough prepared.

When an entire population turns on those in charge, they will never be capable of preventing the inevitable.

[–] ironchico@lemmy.world 0 points 1 week ago

Like that will ever happen. Americans have shown they can’t even be bothered to show up in any meaningful numbers for one day on a weekend to protest. “Ooh I might lose my job if I protest. Wah! Wah! I just have to let it happen. Surely elections that let this happen in the first place are going to magically save us this time.” /s

[–] uberdroog@lemmy.world 12 points 1 week ago

The peace Presidebt? You don't say...

[–] ClassStruggle@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 week ago

And Dems will happily give it to him and add on a few billion as a bonus

[–] homes@piefed.world 8 points 1 week ago

“Go fuck yourself”

— we the people

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Trump spent most of his political career casually mocking the warmongering and deficit hawkery endemic to both the George and Bill administrations (in favor of his own brand of at-home white nationalist police state).

That was his whole path to victory over the GOP Primary field in '16 and again in '24. He ran - quite literally and explicitly - as a Mussolini style "national socialist". Nakedly and unequivocally fascist in the 1930s sense of the word.

Now he's just another John Bolton / Jim Webb neoconservative. Everything the public soured on decades ago is coming back up like swamp gas. No wonder even lay Republican voters are souring on him. He's indistinguishable from Jeb Bush.

[–] wewbull@feddit.uk 3 points 1 week ago

How can you cut things you don't fund?

[–] muusemuuse@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago

It doesn’t matter this fucker doesn’t pay his bills anyway

[–] humanspiral@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 week ago

“Golden Fleet” battleships named after you-know-who. (Those battleships will cost an astonishing $9bn to $13bn each.)

50/50 they will cost over $20B a piece (need Qatar air force 1 jet quality VIP room) and still won't be able to approach within 1000km of Iran coast. Navies no longer project power against modern defense strategies. Only blockades of civilian ships that battleships are too slow for.

The $200B "Iran defeat recovery bill" that was written a little more than a week after war started is still secret and being worked on. Likely to grow even if war unwinds quickly to cover Iran and allies (not just Israel) reparations to keep them colonized.

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago (4 children)

Yes, yes, we’re stealing from social programs to fund a fucked up war machine to support Israel and randomly attack countries for any reason, yes.

But look, Harris was married to a Jewish man, ok? Morally, it was wrong to vote, or to vote for her. Right .ml? 👍 Plus, she wasn’t 100% onboard with transitioning herself. So. It makes complete sense that we tacitly support this.

[–] TranscendentalEmpire@lemmy.today 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

But look, Harris was married to a Jewish man, ok? Morally, it was wrong to vote, or to vote for her. Right .ml? 👍 Plus, she wasn’t 100% onboard with transitioning herself. So. It makes complete sense that we tacitly support this.

I reluctantly voted for Harris, however I don't really see the point of lambasting voters in place of the DNC. If anyone is to blame it is the DNC for backing Biden despite his senility until the very last second, and then choosing not to run a primary.

The anger you have for abstainers needs to be aimed at the party heads who refuse to support anyone slightly progressive than center-right. If not the "progressive" party is going to continue to put up Ls election after election as more people tired of the system choose to stay home on voting day.

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 0 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Fwiw I also blame the party heads and the ever-failing ‘consultants’. That’s more or less a constant. But this wasn’t, as some would have us believe, two horrible candidates. This was between supporting progressive initiatives and institutions and - well, all this. This fascism, corruption, degradation, humiliation, incompetence, and plain insanity.

Voting is the last line of defense. Refusing to do it for any reason, after seeing all the horrifying predictions come true, and still promoting it as reasonable or validated is abhorrent.

[–] TranscendentalEmpire@lemmy.today 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

But this wasn’t, as some would have us believe, two horrible candidates. This was between supporting progressive initiatives and institutions and - well, all this.

I disagree, Harris was a horrible candidate...... She lost to a fascist. And the reason she lost is because voters didn't want to show up to the polls to vote for a party/candidate that has stood aside for decades doing nothing but constantly shifting further and further right at the behest of their oppositions whims.

Nihilism among voters isn't the fault of the voters, it's the fault of the political apparatus. While I don't agree with abstaining from the vote, I understand why it happened, and I don't really blame the voters for doing so. This is the cumulative effect of Democrats promoting third way politics for nearly 40 years.

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world -1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

She was competent, and progressive enough to move us forward on everything.

The opportunity to not be here was available and they said, no we want to be here.

OK! Here we are then. How's it going. Bad? So many people here want to do it again, too.

Should the Democrats have run the greatest person in the world - smart, articulate, capable, beautiful, with no baggage and no moral qualms for anyone? Er, sure. Whatever. Yeah why didn't they do that?

At the end of the day, the choice is there. That's it.

[–] TranscendentalEmpire@lemmy.today 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

She was competent, and progressive enough to move us forward on everything.

Ahh yes, just as Joe Biden and Obama were competent and progressive enough to move us forward on "everything"...... That's why we live in luxury space communism.

The democratic party since the Clinton's has done nothing but shovel money to banks and insurance companies while "maintaining the status quo", that is of course after conservatives have already moved that status quo further and further to the right.

The opportunity to not be here was available and they said, no we want to be here.

The democratic party had the ability to actually support popular programs and candidates that could win elections and chose not to do it. They would rather loose elections than actually support workers.

OK! Here we are then. How's it going. Bad? So many people here want to do it again, too.

And how much you want to bet the DNC is going to crown another center right politician like Gavin Newsome for the next election?

Should the Democrats have run the greatest person in the world - smart, articulate, capable, beautiful, with no baggage and no moral qualms for anyone? Er, sure. Whatever. Yeah why didn't they do that?

It's funny that you're so liberal that's what you think the perfect candidate is. People would settle for someone who actually supported taxing billionaires, unions, Medicare for all, and clamping down on the greed of monopolies.

They refuse to do that because they are still obsessed with third way politics, and are benefiting from the same lobbying system as conservatives.

At the end of the day, the choice is there. That's it.

Except the third choice between a bad and a worse candidate for many people is to just disengage from the Democratic process. Which is what is happening. Which is why I blame the party that would rather lose than offer a systemic change that would upset their current hierarchical structure.

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 0 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Ahh yes, just as Joe Biden and Obama were competent and progressive enough to move us forward on "everything"...... That's why we live in luxury space communism.

You’re not real big on governance or large organizations, i see. Well, that would explain your confusion on why we’re not living in luxury space communism. You see, once more than 5 people work towards a common goal, things take longer and involve something called “discussion”. Then you have your “rules”, “protocols”, “traditions”, “communications”, and a near-infinite set of contradictory opinions which must be managed such that progress can exist at all.

As a child, we think it’s easy, we all agree - let’s do it. But as an adult we find it doesn’t exactly work like that. At all.

It's funny that you're so liberal that's what you think the perfect candidate is. People would settle for someone who actually supported taxing billionaires, unions, Medicare for all, and clamping down on the greed of monopolies.

It's funny you’re so . . conservative? Libertarian? Anarcho-syndicalist? . . . That you think that candidate could win in this environment. I love the idea - heck I’d vote for that, but you see this? Look around you - this is called “a bubble”. It’s not an analog to the real world. And your “perfect candidate” would not win, period.

Which, ironically, seems to be okie dokie with . . Uh, your . . type?

And so, we return you to your demented fascist hellscape, already in progress. So to speak. As this is what you didn’t vote against. Enjoy.

[–] TranscendentalEmpire@lemmy.today 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

You’re not real big on governance or large organizations, i see.

Yeah, That's why I'm a socialist, because Im not big on governance or large organizations.....

You see, once more than 5 people work towards a common goal, things take longer and involve something called “discussion”. Then you have your “rules”, “protocols”, “traditions”, “communications”, and a near-infinite set of contradictory opinions which must be managed such that progress can exist at all

Lol, and that requires the DNC to pander towards lobbyist groups and constantly meet the demands of fascist?

child, we think it’s easy, we all agree - let’s do it. But as an adult we find it doesn’t exactly work like that. At all.

Insert enlightened centerist meme. Governments around the world, including the US under FDR have forced real progressive change. It doesn't take shaking hands with the right, it takes actual political will. The current DNC are just happy with the current status quo which allows them to pad their own wallets.

That you think that candidate could win in this environment. I love the idea - heck I’d vote for that, but you see this? Look around you - this is called “a bubble”. It’s not an analog to the real world. And your “perfect candidate” would not win, period.

Instead of embracing left winged populism, the DNC ran a 90 year old man and then a center right girl boss cop. Truly a mark of political brilliance.....

People clearly want change, which is what trump promised them. It's how fascist have come to power throughout history. When the "progressive" party of the age fails to offer real progressive change a fascist will come to fill in that political void.

As this is what you didn’t vote against. Enjoy.

Lol, if you can recall I started this conversation stating that I begrudgingly voted for Harris?

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Lol, if you can recall I started this conversation stating that I begrudgingly voted for Harris?

Oh you’re right, my mistake. Well, I certainly will support a candidate that can win and deliver all the luxury space communism goods.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Yes, yes, we’re stealing from social programs to fund a fucked up war machine to support Israel and randomly attack countries for any reason, yes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_military_intervention_in_Libya

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_intervention_in_Syria

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Afghanistan_(2001%E2%80%932021)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Spartan_Shield

Same as it ever was. Same as it ever was.

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Right but this is different as it could have been

Plus openly robbing health and education without even being asked is, well, “new”.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

DC is bumper-to-bumper guys heading to think tank jobs to lobby the defunding of health and education programs. We've been doing this Murray Rothbard's heyday. It's one of the various "third-rail" issues of politics that politicians keep getting bribed into grabbing.

[–] AbsolutelyNotAVelociraptor@piefed.social 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

For the umptenth time, they didn't tacitly support pedohitler! They just didn't vote for harris because reasons (that they'll never disclose)!

On, right, actually, they didn't vote for her because, since the country was already slowly falling into fascism, why should they vote for something that wasn't 100% fascist? It's better to go full fash now so people wake up.

Yup, that last paragraph is a reply I got from one of them, fml.

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

It’s sad, innit.

[–] ClassStruggle@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Dems have been complicite in every Pentagon budget for decades. Gave Trump billions more than he asked for during his first term. Dems are as openly warhawkish as republicans. Not to mention, Biden's own team is admitting they were planning on bombing Iran if Biden won a second term. Harris wanted the most lethal military and considers “all options are on the table.” regarding war with Iran

If they pushed for higher wages like we demanded we wouldnt be needing as many social programs.

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Not to mention, Biden's own team is admitting they were planning on bombing Iran if Biden won a second term.

Bullshit. Please tell us who ‘Biden’s own team’ is, and what plans they had to ‘bomb Iran if he won a second term’. That article was bullshit and now you’ve embellished it and made it gospel.

Harris wanted the most lethal military and considers “all options are on the table.”

Adults in government say ‘all options are on the table’ as a matter of course. It doesn’t mean they’re demented and incompetent enough to get into a shooting war with no fucking plan and that they’re incapable of sitting through a big boy briefing without video game explosion videos.

Both sides same? For fuck’s sake what the fuck is wrong with you people. You not only want to boil the ocean, you think it can be done in two years. Thinking like a child. “Class struggle” at ml voting for the boot how odd.

[–] ClassStruggle@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

You should be expressing your page at your inept party instead of lashing out at those pointing out you support fascists

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I express my page at my party and lash out at dead weight idiots who can’t put a reasoned argument together to save their lives.

[–] ClassStruggle@lemmy.ml -1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Liberals don't hold their own accountable, if they did there would be no trump.

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Ugh.

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