Editorial: The mounting toll of tax cuts

Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006 | 7:47 a.m.

President Bush's tax cuts have so drained this nation financially that the Pentagon is now considering cutting Army and National Guard forces by 24,500 troops. The reason for the proposal is that the Pentagon senses an urgent need to cut $11.1 billion from the Army's budget over the next five years.

Looking at the depleted federal budget, the Pentagon is trying to cut its spending every way it can, even if it means reducing our already stretched-thin combat forces while fighting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and fighting terrorism around the world.

Bush came into office in 2001 buoyed by the notion that he could buy the admiration of a majority of American taxpayers by spending the surpluses generated during President Clinton's time on tax cuts. Even though Bush's tax cuts benefited mostly the rich and the super-rich, the tactic worked with enough middle-class taxpayers to pull him through to a second term by a narrow margin. Now, however, it should be clear to everyone what the tax cuts actually bought the American people.

The country is laden with debt that is costing taxpayers increasing billions each year just to pay the interest on it. The federal government does not have enough money to fix Social Security and cannot hope to meet its financial obligations to retiring Baby Boomers. It is being forced to cut tens of billions in domestic spending in such critical areas as health care and education. And since the first day of the Iraq war, our fighting forces have been undermanned and underequipped.

It's outrageous that troop cuts are now being considered, especially in light of the fact that so many battle-weary soldiers and Marines are having their tours of duty extended because there are so few replacements.

According to a report by Bloomberg News, the proposed savings also include reduced spending on military equipment, including armored vehicles. Again, outrageous. Improvised explosive devices have killed or maimed thousands of our troops in Iraq, a casualty rate that could have been greatly reduced if there had been sufficient armor to protect them.

In addition to cutting troops and equipment, the Pentagon is considering saving another $11 billion by trimming benefits for military retirees, Bloomberg reported.

Most Americans have realized only a few hundred dollars from Bush's tax cuts. They would likely give it all back to repair the financial damage to our government and to support our troops.

Would the rich and the super-rich, who have reaped millions, be willing to do the same?