Invitation to Fight

   "We have to start winning wars again," said the president as he prepared a federal budget with a $54 billion increase in defense spending. He called the proposed boost in the military and national security portion of the U.S. budget, "historic," and "massive," saying he is a "total nationalist" who wants to "make the nation safe."
   He was not specific on what the dangers are, and whether they are real. He has in the past warned of unwanted immigrants pouring into the country -- in his view entering by the thousands, with no one knowing who they are or where they came from.
   As for the need to "start winning wars again," that implies that more war is expected. From where, when and why was not mentioned.
   But the danger of talking about war, meanwhile lamenting that the nation has in the past lost, only increases the possibility of igniting a military conflict, especially when such talk is coupled with a "massive" increase in spending to rebuild what the president has called "a depleted military."
   During the same comments about boosting defense spending, the president said the cost would be covered by cuts in the diplomacy budget of the State Department as well as significant reductions in infrastructure spending for projects like roads, bridges, rail and airport improvements and repairs. "We want to make sure it's done right," he said. Translation: Don't hold your breath waiting for the work to be approved.
   In addition, he suggested sharp budget reductions at the Environmental Protection Agency, and smaller contributions to cultural groups like the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
   Finally, critics have maintained that the boost in defense spending -- $54 billion is 10 percent of the total for the agencies involved -- will not be made up by the proposed budget cuts for other federal projects and agencies. The result, they insist, will be severe deficit spending and a major increase in the federal debt, a sharp contrast to the campaign promises made during the recent election campaign.
   A slight ray of hope may be that the budget proposal is still being worked on, and must be approved by Congress before the next fiscal year begins in June. By that time, the Great Deal Artist may have faced obstacles in the separate and equal legislative branch of government that his private sector bluster can't get past.