Note from AFA President -- AFA member op-eds

In the past couple of weeks our members have written some very good op-eds.  Here are a few of the best:

1. In a piece in the Knoxville News, Jim O’Brien from Knoxville, TN, makes the point that the cuts caused by failure of the Super Committee not only endanger national security, but they don’t even begin to address the twin issues of our national deficit and our national debt.  You can find the piece at:  http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/dec/03/jim-obrien-automatic-cuts-endanger-security/
    

2. David Radcliffe, Las Vegas NV, writes about the Air Force’s old aircraft – some of which were built in the Eisenhower Administration.  He believes our aircrews deserve better than to be sent to war in decrepit equipment.  You can find the piece at:  http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2011/OldAircraft.asp
    

3. Arthur MacFadden, Lookout Mountain, GA, writes about how to cut the defense budget.  He posits there are 5 major categories of funding – R&D (the future), Acquisition (already too low), Military Construction (not large by any measure), O&M (funds flight hours, civilian personnel, training, etc – can’t have a hollow force), and Military Personnel.  He argues we should “leverage our technology to … rely on Air, Space, Cyber, and Naval strategy.  You can find his piece at:  http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2011/How_to_Cut_Defense.asp
    

4. Ed Mechenbier, Dayton, OH, reviews our relations with Pakistan in the aftermath of a NATO airstrike on two Pakistani military posts.  He notes the cooling off period imposed by Pakistan is probably healthy.  He notes we have alternatives to the most recent imposed Pakistani restrictions and they revolved around Airpower.  He asks the question:  Is Pakistan a Friend or a Foe … then answers his own question with:  “Yes.”  You can find the piece at:  http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2011/Pakistan.asp
    

5. Rick Gibbs, Murrieta, CA, takes on a volatile issue of the “2% tax holiday.”  He states:  “Yes, we would all like to pay zero taxes … and we are prone to support those in the Administration and the Congress who want to “give us our money back.” However, there are items in the federal budget that we must support … and we must support with our taxes. One such item is defense spending.”  Further, he says we are on a path to cut defense spending by 20% -- an untenable number.  He closes with:  “Perhaps Presidents Kennedy and Reagan were not wrong in their decisions to stimulate the economy by increasing defense spending. Something to think about.”  You can find the piece at:  http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2011/Holiday_from_Stimulus.asp

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association