Is the economic downturn just a strategy to increase military recruitment?

Question

Think about it. Now that private sector jobs are shrinking, the military should have much fewer problems recruiting.

Answer 1

I don't know, I'll get back to you, I've got a "Career Counselor" from the US Army coming to my house tonight...they seem to have a bull dog like mentality when it comes to recruiting...

Answer 2

Right now we have one of the highest if not the highest taxes on corporations in the world. As a result jobs and companies are leaving at a high rate. Even smaller companies (like the one I work for) are looking to send the work they do outside of the USA.  What can the US Government do to reverse this trend?

I've a novel plan that should satisfy almost everyone. Before you say it's pure BS think about it. No corporate taxes at all. And no federal taxes other than personal income taxes. I know your first thoughts are that can't possible work. But it can. And as soon as I do an edit I'll explain how.

Corporations are in business to make money period. If they don't they don't stay in business. But although they want to make money that also don't want a lot of money lying around doing nothing. They want it working as well. So they put it to work. They renovate, renew, or rebuild their facilities. The purchase new equipment, update older equipment, retool, and other things like that. With no corporate taxes instead of companies (and jobs) leaving in droves, you'd have companies coming here. And when those companies come here they BRING jobs. And jobs mean money.

All these things means the money keeps moving. And when money moves someone makes a profit. Sooner or later all that money will end up with individuals in some shape, form, or fashion.

HERE is where the taxes come in. Any salary, wage, commision, or benefit given to an individual is subject to being taxed. It doesn't matter if some CEO get a $100 million dollar buyout. He's going to pay taxes. If they get $100 million dollars in stock he pays nothing. Why? Because you can't buy anything with stock. It's got to be converted to cash first. And you tax the cash as income. No capital gains loophole, No income averaging loophole.  

And here's where you start. If someone is living above the poverty line thay will pay some tax. How much will they pay depends on how far above the poverty line they are. No flat tax, but a graduated tax with no upper limit. It makes no sense to tax someone making $40K at the same rate as someone who makes $40M a year. Democrats are always saying they ony want to increase taxes on the uber-rich while lowering the taxes on the lower and middle class people. Here's their chance. I'll leave it to the statisticians and mathmaticians to figure out how fast the percentage curve rises.

And here's another thing that will make it work. All the loopholes in the present tax code will cease to exist. The only things you would be allowed to deduct would be for each member of the household(plus on additional deduction for special needs cases) and family health insurance.

  

This years US Budget was about $3 Trillion (that's 12 zeros) to provide for every man, woman, and child, legal and illegal (about 300M) living in the USA. You do the math, I could have made a mistake. But doesn't that figure out to be about $10K each? I don't know about you but I'm not sure I got my $10K worth of services out of the Federal Government.  How much of that was eaten up in buracracy. But that is an whole different ball of worms.

  

If you don't know where you are going, don't worry. There will always be someone telling you where to go. The problem is --It will probably be some place you don't want to be.

Answer 3

You're giving the government way too much credit.  It doesn't think that intricately.  Besides, if your theory is correct, where are the lines outside recruiting stations?

Answer 4

I think it's merely the result of bad trade politicies, and unilateral free-trade with 3rd world countries.  

Answer 5

I dont think so...as far as I know the only branch meeting their recruitment quotas are the USMC, and they hardly ever have recruiting problems.  The other branches I dont think are benefiting from the downturn...I dont think even Bush would intentionally sabotage the economy to get cannon-fodder for his illegal war...but who knows

Answer 6

Since we have been meeting and exceeding our recruitment goals pretty much all along, I have to disagree with your assessment of military recruiting.  

Answer 7

No.

The economy is the result of the Bush administration's policies.

Remember how great the Clinton years were?

I'm okay with an increase in enlistment. Our military is overstretched.  

Answer 8

What an interesting conspiracy theory .... the answer is no ....

Answer 9

No, economies are cyclical which means they go up and down. Just the natural order of things.

Answer 10

Well as the vast majority of private sector jobs that have been lost come from the financial sector , I don't think you will get to many bankers and stock brokers joining the military

Answer 11

You commies make me laugh, you really do. It has nothing to do with the military. As stated previously, it is just they way a capitalist economy goes. No sinister evil plot behind it. Considering the fact the the US hires civilians for hundreds of thousands of dollars a year doing the same job I do and I get less then $25k, I highly doupt it.

It could be alot worse- ever heard of the Great Depression? The people who lost their money should hae been smater then putting it in  a bank that isn't covered by th FDIC. (They insure your money in a bank up to 100k)