In Defense of Defense

In order to win the debate over funding, the pentagon must urge the president to reevaluate his duties to the state and prioritize these responsibilities, reflecting their importance in our annual budget. There are rich historical and philosophical traditions which influenced the debate and ratification of our constitution. It serves as the highest authority in the United States, and should serve as a compass in defining our government’s responsibilities as a state. The preamble gives the clearest inventory of the federal governments responsibilities.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Each of these responsibilities is contingent upon the ability of the federal government to defend itself from internal and external threats. We would not be able to guarantee the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our children should we be overcome by a foreign adversary. This includes the defense of our border, as well as the free flow of energy and assets abroad.


As one of the constitutionally enumerated responsibilities, the United States must be willing to reevaluate its spending habits. Though many take issue with the amount of money we spend on the GWOT, its budget is eclipsed by non enumerated responsibilities including social security, federal education, and housing and urban planning. If we are serious about our constitution, our congress needs to reevaluate and ultimately increase funding provided for the defense of the United States as our combatant commanders, not politicians see fit.

On a very basic level, I believe Secretary Gates has a firm grasp on the needs of the United States defense community and tackles the problems in a fiscally responsible manner. His beliefs in a strong balanced approach are consistent with the four goals of the defense community, to dissuade, deter, defend against our enemies and assure our allies. Though in my assessment his views are not perfect,though the thrust of his argument is certainly commendable.

The difficulty is that Gates must face is cabinet level peers are not playing the same game, and are vying for funding in a zero sum game. If Gates does not battle for his rightful share of the pie, the defense of our homeland may become marginalized in its funding because of Washington politics.