Won't happen, since congress would have to approve.

The take away on this is that even Trump doesn't think the military needed all that extra money added for them in the recent budget.

Trump went on Twitter today of pics of the supposed wall being built already.

He's resorted to shameless propaganda because an actual wall is impossible now. He knows it, but there's still a good chance he can trick his followers into believing otherwise.

Poor Trump.

The poor Trump supporters... they're all in...

Wrong way to do it. Only makes it more controversial if that is even possible.

Won't happen, since congress would have to approve.

The take away on this is that even Trump doesn't think the military needed all that extra money added for them in the recent budget.

If I remember correctly, I think Congress did authorize more military spending than the President sought. So I guess that is right. Still wrong way to try and do this.

If Tillerson's moron runs again for office, one can only imagine the advertisements being used against Trump's failure of touting promise for Mexico to pay for a wall. No doubt will come up in debates also.

And the list goes on.

Most bizarre is that the Pentagon has no idea how to spend the $80 Billion before the end of the fiscal year in October. They're scrambling to figure out how to piss it away so as to not look like they're flush with cash before the next appropriation process begins very soon. This increased appropriation was nothing more than appeasing Trump's base.

I've got a few ideas:

1. Provide front line soldiers with body armor rather than require them to buy it...

2. Immediately purchase the sorely needed spare parts for the various (and there's sh*t tons of variants across the different branches of the armed forces) armored vehicles and aircraft in the military.

3. Offer an early retirement incentive to put out to pasture the numerous generals and colonels doing nothing but polishing chairs in the Pentagon and many oversees bases that are useless when it comes to military readiness. The military is extremely top heavy with officers and has been trending this way for years.

4. Increase funding to cyber security. The United States military, while far ahead of other branches of gov't, remain overly dependent on digital and internet connected technology.

5. Beef up the security of America's "soft targets." For example; the electric grid; nuclear power plants, dams, mass transit, digital and analog communications systems, etc....

[Edited on 3/29/2018 by Chain]

That's the way budgeting works. Use it or fear of losing it next year. When in fact, if an agency or department can meet their obligations with current spending levels, why grow their line item next year? But that is part of the game, you have to show that you spent it all, even if you wasted it just because, so you can get your increase in spending the next year.

Maybe defense spending needed a boost, maybe it didn't. I tend to believe if you don't add to the bloated defense budget they will have to focus getting leaner and meaner. But that is too hard isn't it. Everyone must tighten the belt...except for the DOD. As if there is no waste in the DOD. Where is the Republican outcry on DOD waste?

Now Republicans want to introduce a balanced budget amendment? Who do they think they are kidding? I would love a balanced budget amendment. Something like govt spending set at 5% over prior year total IRS receipts and allowing for some growth. You only spend what you take in with some exceptions for investment borrowing or in declared times of war or states of emergency or something. But this Congress, this Republican caucus is going to lead us towards a balanced budget amendment. That might actually be the most ridiculous thing I have heard from these people considering the spending spree they have unleashed. What a joke these people are. Sometimes I literally don't know why I care.

That's the way budgeting works. Use it or fear of losing it next year. When in fact, if an agency or department can meet their obligations with current spending levels, why grow their line item next year? But that is part of the game, you have to show that you spent it all, even if you wasted it just because, so you can get your increase in spending the next year.

Maybe defense spending needed a boost, maybe it didn't. I tend to believe if you don't add to the bloated defense budget they will have to focus getting leaner and meaner. But that is too hard isn't it. Everyone must tighten the belt...except for the DOD. As if there is no waste in the DOD. Where is the Republican outcry on DOD waste?

Now Republicans want to introduce a balanced budget amendment? Who do they think they are kidding? I would love a balanced budget amendment. Something like govt spending set at 5% over prior year total IRS receipts and allowing for some growth. You only spend what you take in with some exceptions for investment borrowing or in declared times of war or states of emergency or something. But this Congress, this Republican caucus is going to lead us towards a balanced budget amendment. That might actually be the most ridiculous thing I have heard from these people considering the spending spree they have unleashed. What a joke these people are. Sometimes I literally don't know why I care.

Obviously that's how budgeting works, Neb....My point is that the military/industrial/security complex is too often used as a political tool for politicians of all stripes to pander to their base and without any concern as to the actual needs of the military.

In this recent case, Trump, who ran on being the opposite of previous administrations, is doing the exact same thing we've seen time and time again. In other words, he's full of sh*t. Suggesting the military build a useless boondoggle of a wall is a perfect example...It's not about actual security or needs of the military, it's him pandering to his base at the expense of the military....Put the $80 billion where it's needed!

[Edited on 3/30/2018 by Chain]

Never mind all the politicking about who is going to pay for it. If Mexico won't do it, and Congress will not approve funding to do it, other options are:

A public taxpayer charity contribution box on tax returns, like they have for all those other things, breast cancer research, prostate cancer research etc. etc. have one for Build The Wall with Mexico, people can contribute whatever they want to IF they want to. We have 320 million people in the US, if only some of them chip in $5 or whatever, the money will be there to build most of it.

Next as I have said before, let veterans who want it done, get 'er done, volunteering their time and talents to the effort. You can built man cave tents for them to stay in and send in some good food for them. Retirees can join, etc. etc. Let companies like Home Depot, Lowe's contribute and tax write off for materials needed.

Can't all the great minds come up with a workable project or are you leaving it all to America's Project Manager, Donald Trump?

Never mind all the politicking about who is going to pay for it. If Mexico won't do it, and Congress will not approve funding to do it, other options are:

A public taxpayer charity contribution box on tax returns, like they have for all those other things, breast cancer research, prostate cancer research etc. etc. have one for Build The Wall with Mexico, people can contribute whatever they want to IF they want to. We have 320 million people in the US, if only some of them chip in $5 or whatever, the money will be there to build most of it.

Next as I have said before, let veterans who want it done, get 'er done, volunteering their time and talents to the effort. You can built man cave tents for them to stay in and send in some good food for them. Retirees can join, etc. etc. Let companies like Home Depot, Lowe's contribute and tax write off for materials needed.

Can't all the great minds come up with a workable project or are you leaving it all to America's Project Manager, Donald Trump?

The border wall is estimated to cost $120 per US household. Your $5 donations are worthless, especially since nobody is going to donate. The only people who want the wall are a minority of Republicans, the very people who are most likely to not volunteer to part with their money. You'd have a better chance to get Mexico to pay for it, which is still a zero chance.

LMAO we were always gonna pay for it.
Anyone who thinks a POL is going to do something for them
paid to play.

The rest got sold down the duh UH!

PS: how many 'Meeicans are running to get those low wage ag jobs?