Biden is not interested in defunding the police (or the Pentagon)
Speaking Security Newsletter | Advisory Note for Organizers and Candidates, n°41 | 3 September 2020
Given the (militarized) relationship between the US military and police, both budgets need to be defunded (and converted to social programs). Biden appears disinterested (at best) in doing either.
Situation
The US ranks first in global military spending, which everyone already knows. But if the amount the US spent on police (country-wide) was for another country’s military, it would rank third(!) behind the US and China.
The situation’s getting worse on both fronts (for no justifiable reason):
^via Congressional Research Service. Figures are in billions (constant FY19 dollars)
There is no indication that a Biden victory will reverse either trend
Biden, on police budgets: “I do not support defunding police” (source); called for an additional $300 million in federal funding for police.
Biden, on military budgets: No sign that he’s interested in reducing the Pentagon budget. Same with Biden’s hawkish advisors/war industry lobbyists, who will likely run the foreign policy show should he win in November. A little about one of Biden’s current advisors and the presumptive nominee for Secretary of Defense in a Biden administration, Michèle Flournoy:
Undersecretary of Defense for Policy under Obama
Probably would be Secretary right now had Clinton won in 2016
Former CEO of a shitty think tank, made $452,000/year
Advisor/lobbyist for (major) defense contractors
When asked whether her relationship with the war industry affects her judgement as a foreign policy advisor/expert, Flournoy replied: “When I take a policy position, I do so because I think it is in U.S. interests, and the views I express are solely my own, no one else’s.”
Considering her disposition toward military spending, Flournoy’s either being dishonest (which means she’s corrupt) or she actually meant it (which is terrifying):
Conclusion
Keep fighting for a better Congress.
Thanks for your time,
Stephen (@stephensemler; stephen@securityreform.org)
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