Atlanta Journal
October 24, 2012

A little context to Romney’s proposed Navy expansion

As part of his plan to increase defense spending by $2 trillion, Mitt Romney has repeatedly cited that the United States has fewer ships in its Navy today than it did in 1916, suggesting that our naval power has declined since then. He is also campaigning on a pledge to boost the number of ships from 285 to 313. saying “I will restore our Navy to the size needed to fulfill our missions by building 15 ships per year, including three submarines.”

Our current ship-building rate is 9 to 10 per year.

Two points regarding that issue:

1.) As it happens, two political scientists at Florida State University recently completed a historical study that compares naval strength among the major powers from 1865 to 2011. They conclude:

“In 1916, the U.S. controlled roughly 11% of the world’s naval power. This is an impressive number that ranks the US third in naval strength behind the UK (34%) and Germany (19%), and just ahead of France (10%). What about the US navy in 2011? In 2011, the US controlled roughly 50% of the world’s naval power putting it in a comfortable lead in naval power ahead of Russia (11%).”

2.) Why is Romney stressing naval expansion in his campaign remarks? Take a look at the map of swing states. Virginia is critical to his election hopes. Virginia is also home to Newport News Shipbuilding, which with 21,000 employees is a major contractor with the U.S. Navy. The additional submarines that Romney keeps mentioning are nuclear-powered Virginia-class subs, built in part at Newport News at a cost of $2.5 billion per copy.

In other words, Romney is dangling billions of taxpayers dollars and government-financed jobs in front of Virginia voters, hoping that it wins him the presidency.



It's pretty obvious what he is up to....and I thought "Government doesn't create jobs..." I guess technically they don't but they spend trillions of our $$ on military contractors who hire people.

Romney preys on people's fears and insecurities. He's a dangerous man who's not to be trusted.

And Obama doesn't? please, that is status quo for our politicians. We are the horse, fear is the carrot. We want the carrot!