Taxpayers subsidizing weapons company stock buybacks worth tens of billions of dollars *should* be a scandal. Sadly, next to the Epstein Files, I think it will get buried. Not that I don't want to see accountability for the rich and powerful, but these sums going to the military-industrial complex are absurd.
You are right, Joseph, Epstein is the new diversion. Now, Trump and others emboldened by him, will begin to get to work lining the pockets of their new coats, the old coats heavy with crypto and cash. We in the middle class are being sucked dry of our future. I don't want to live in America any more. Then again, I don't want to live in a country invaded by America either.
Venezuela, too. I'm holding my breath about that right now. Trump may give the go ahead to attack in an effort to knock Epstein out of the headlines. Kegseth is chomping at the bit to play with "his" high tech toys, too. They don't care that many people will die.
ALL big corporations plow an excessive share of their profits into buybacks to boost share value. Irregardless of whether or not they make their money from government contracts. It's not just defense contractors; but every publically traded Corp that uses buybacks to dodge paying their fair share of federal taxes.
By making this about taxpayers supposedly subsidizing military share buybacks, Judd is conflating American militarism--the uncowed power of our Military-Industrial Complex--with unchecked Corporate power.
The only answer to this mess is for Dems to win BIG in 2026. Primary season is just a few months away; so get ready to rumble, and clean house.
Eisenhower saw this comiing and warned us in the 1950's ..... follow the money in congress ...... truly disgusting to be stuck in the 12th century? probably earlier than that...no one has figured out how to get out of this paper bag called war as the only answer... we were starting to make international strides then the stain tries to create wars world wide...this is on you 6 supremes
If ever there was a piece that made it clear that the fight is between "The People" and the 1% - this is it. I encourage everyone to share widely. This fact based piece illustrates, with a searchlight, that the budget reflects the values of this regime. Enrich themselves and their fellow cronies over everything else.
As we saw with his ass-kissing defense of MBS yesterday, Trump sees wealth as the only admirable quality that people possess. His red-hat wearing brigade of followers are seen as useful idiots by him. He could care less if his policies help or hurt them. He's only interested in funneling as much money as possible to himself and other wealthy people.
An interesting perspective but I think misplaced. First off the priorities are wrong, for instance in emphasizing small numbers of extremely expensive weapons that are designed to fight the last war and that add nothing toward building a manufacturing base that can compete with that of our most powerful adversary- China. Second building nuclear weapons in such numbers that if used it would guarantee the extinction of higher life forms on the planet.
We are a capitalist nation that is supposed to cherish open and free competition yet our approach to national defense has encouraged the development of monopolies. That too needs to be fixed.
Everyone needs to read (or re-read) President Eisenhower's speech and WARNINGS on the Military-Industrial Complex. The warnings are still relevant, in fact we can see what the past 60 years have done to the USA and, in some ways, why we almost became a dictatorship.
The obvious conclusion is that the USG is overpaying for weapons. Just think what $200 billion less to "defense" would buy for us...better education, better healthcare (Medicare for all!), better roads and transit, a better climate...or if you prefer a real tax cut that benefits all of us instead of the oligarchs.
Unreal. Robber barons keep criming. They lay us off and get rid of jobs to make more money for themselves. When will we wake up and take back what is literally ours?
This report should be the lead item on every newspaper in the country and every news program.
Couldn't agree more, Jim. Thanks for reading.
What Jim said.
Taxpayers subsidizing weapons company stock buybacks worth tens of billions of dollars *should* be a scandal. Sadly, next to the Epstein Files, I think it will get buried. Not that I don't want to see accountability for the rich and powerful, but these sums going to the military-industrial complex are absurd.
You are right, Joseph, Epstein is the new diversion. Now, Trump and others emboldened by him, will begin to get to work lining the pockets of their new coats, the old coats heavy with crypto and cash. We in the middle class are being sucked dry of our future. I don't want to live in America any more. Then again, I don't want to live in a country invaded by America either.
Venezuela, too. I'm holding my breath about that right now. Trump may give the go ahead to attack in an effort to knock Epstein out of the headlines. Kegseth is chomping at the bit to play with "his" high tech toys, too. They don't care that many people will die.
ALL big corporations plow an excessive share of their profits into buybacks to boost share value. Irregardless of whether or not they make their money from government contracts. It's not just defense contractors; but every publically traded Corp that uses buybacks to dodge paying their fair share of federal taxes.
By making this about taxpayers supposedly subsidizing military share buybacks, Judd is conflating American militarism--the uncowed power of our Military-Industrial Complex--with unchecked Corporate power.
The only answer to this mess is for Dems to win BIG in 2026. Primary season is just a few months away; so get ready to rumble, and clean house.
Eisenhower saw this comiing and warned us in the 1950's ..... follow the money in congress ...... truly disgusting to be stuck in the 12th century? probably earlier than that...no one has figured out how to get out of this paper bag called war as the only answer... we were starting to make international strides then the stain tries to create wars world wide...this is on you 6 supremes
As long as war is highly profitable, it will continue.
Definitely... for those making the machines.,food, uniforms etc... rolling in dough...for the soldiers not so much...
If ever there was a piece that made it clear that the fight is between "The People" and the 1% - this is it. I encourage everyone to share widely. This fact based piece illustrates, with a searchlight, that the budget reflects the values of this regime. Enrich themselves and their fellow cronies over everything else.
Exactly what I was going for. Thank you for your kind (and extremely well-written) words.
As we saw with his ass-kissing defense of MBS yesterday, Trump sees wealth as the only admirable quality that people possess. His red-hat wearing brigade of followers are seen as useful idiots by him. He could care less if his policies help or hurt them. He's only interested in funneling as much money as possible to himself and other wealthy people.
An interesting perspective but I think misplaced. First off the priorities are wrong, for instance in emphasizing small numbers of extremely expensive weapons that are designed to fight the last war and that add nothing toward building a manufacturing base that can compete with that of our most powerful adversary- China. Second building nuclear weapons in such numbers that if used it would guarantee the extinction of higher life forms on the planet.
We are a capitalist nation that is supposed to cherish open and free competition yet our approach to national defense has encouraged the development of monopolies. That too needs to be fixed.
How can this information be elevated? We the people need affordable healthcare and homes and food, not more weapons! 🙄
Jim is right. Will it? Edward R Murrow is smiling Judd! Thank you! This was pointed out in 1961 by Eisenhower. Yet, here we are.
Vile…..Congress has to vote NO!
Right on. Let your senators and reps hear that! Thanks for reading.
Thieves.
Are we operating under the constitution at all any more? Is this now just a free-for-all, and by all I mean the 1%. Viva la revolution!
Everyone needs to read (or re-read) President Eisenhower's speech and WARNINGS on the Military-Industrial Complex. The warnings are still relevant, in fact we can see what the past 60 years have done to the USA and, in some ways, why we almost became a dictatorship.
The obvious conclusion is that the USG is overpaying for weapons. Just think what $200 billion less to "defense" would buy for us...better education, better healthcare (Medicare for all!), better roads and transit, a better climate...or if you prefer a real tax cut that benefits all of us instead of the oligarchs.
Also,….Stephen Semler at Security Context…
great reporting!
Judd, you have great contributors!
It's an honor to write for Judd. Thanks for reading!
Unreal. Robber barons keep criming. They lay us off and get rid of jobs to make more money for themselves. When will we wake up and take back what is literally ours?
I'm always amazed that the party fixated on "waste, fraud and abuse", doesn't bat an eye at dropping $1T/yr on defense for a nation not at war.