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Subscribe to RSSRep. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., expresses his views on the ongoing budget battle in Washington and how it impacts America's military.
Freshman Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., an Army veteran, took on the growing isolationist tide in the Republican Party during his speech Thursday at CPAC.
Cotton, who was awarded a Bronze Star following tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, insisted that an isolationist approach to foreign policy would put the country’s safety at risk.
“I worry that when we withdraw from the world the world is not going to withdraw from us,” Cotton told NBC’s Kasie Hunt after he appeared on a panel at the Conservative Political Action Convention called “Too Many American Wars? Should We Fight Anywhere And Can We Afford It?”
At the panel, Cotton said the answer to that question was no: “We’re fighting one war. And it’s a war on radical Islam.”
He also suggested defense spending should be shielded from sequestration, saying, “I support the level of spending that sequestration imposes but I would like to see that spending shifted back towards the military, away from domestic programs.”
Cotton asserted that defense spending, which made up 20 percent of federal expenditures in 2012, is not part of the government’s money woes: “We certainly have a staggering national debt. Our military is not responsible for that,” he said during the panel.
When it comes to his own political aspirations, Cotton, who is already being touted as a prospective Senate challenger to Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor, remained mum, although he did – perhaps – set a timetable for his decision-making.
“I was just elected a few months ago,” he said. “There’ll be a time for politics later this year.”
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Actually I agree that the US should cut involvement in the world.
Before the recession started in 2007, more than 100 countries out of about 200 world's total were growing at a rate of 5 to 7%. They all went down starting in 2007 because of a recession that was 'Made in America.'
So this guy thinks that we are becoming "disengaged from the world" because we are out of Iraq and soon to be out of Afghanistan after being in two of the longest wars in our history? So, what? We should get ourselves involved in another war so we can be "engaged in the world"? What is with these right wingers who seem to always be pushing for war(in what they say)? We are a world super power, I think we are pretty well engaged in the world. Time for some peace for our soldiers.
Well, there are a lot of members of the Dumb and Dumber class inside the GOP.
Schizophrenia defines the GOP: some always want to push for 'freedom' and take out Saddam under false pretenses; some are afraid of the outside world and want to have nothing to do with it even for legitimate businesses.
The problem is that many don't realize that getting involved with the rest of the world is a good investment, bringing a lot of benefits to us, at the same time our involvement has also caused a lot of grief to many other countries.
Withdrawal is coitus interuptus .... oh the infamy, sperm should be left behind to foster, or fester, or filibuster.
Not long ago certain people were ranting and raving about Republicans doing business with foreign countries and not being isolationists and keeping all of the jobs here. I certainly agree with the cessation of nation-building and useless foreign wars, but America needs (wisely and efficiently) to be part of the global economy and a leader in technology. We can't compete in basic manufacturing even if we flood America with Illegals (and paying them $9.00 per hour).
San Tan, in Arkansas we pay Americans $7 something an hour and illegals $2 if they are lucky. lol
All joking aside war is expensive. Salaries, equipment, and benefits; there is no telling how much these two wars are actually going to cost us!
Representative Tom Cotton (R) Arkansas: "We certainly have a staggering national debt. Our Military is not responsible for that."
What kind of a joke and ignorant statement is that. Representative Tom Cotton must believe that wars pay for themselves. It is a PROVABLE FACT that wars and spending on military hardware have attributed well over 30% to our national debt. We have spent over $3.5 TRILLION just on the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the war on terror around the world! Perhaps Representative Cotton needs a remedial math lesson along with a class in logic and reasoning.
Cotton Gin?
Do you think Rep. Cotton was drunk after having too much gin?
Cotton undies?
Elvis used to enjoy watching hot chicks wrestle in them. Some guys have all the luck.
...time to cut defense.
Another clueless dolt who can't read a balance sheet. Defense spending is our biggest waste of money. We could cut it nearly in half and still have the most powerful military by far. Next!!
Should we cut the defense budget in half in light of all of all of the progress made by North Korea and Iran in developing rockets and nuclear bombs? If I lived on either of the East or West Coasts, I might start getting concerned.
Reality check! Some countries had recession because they nationalized everything and could not afford it. Others because the European union was a huge failure that only benefitted France. If all those other countries economies rise or fall with America, why do people keep holding europe up as the example of what we should become. Subject to a greater countries trends. And those wars all the Democrats voted for are costly. But at the time they voted for it based on the intelligence, evidence and briefings provided by the Clinton administration at the change of command. Now you may proceed to call me names while knowing I am right. Besides 14 failed UN resolutions? No wonder the UN is precieved as a joke by the world. The only power it has it what America gives it.
Seeing as you are wrong, can I throw rocks at you instead? You may want to discuss the European Union with Germany ... seems they are doing fine as are several other countries.
Denmark, Sweden, Norway, The Netherlands, Belgium. Funny that they like to shove Greece in our faces, when in actuality, they are about the same as say Mississippi is here. One small piece doesn't rot the whole bunch. But try explaining that to someone with ear muffs and blinders on.
With the exception of two World Wars and related travesties, the German people have shown more initiative and possitive attitude than other Europeans. They even absorbed East Germany devastated by socialism and communism. Not long ago, during America's greatness, the Germans were the most recognized ethnic group in the US. Where have the Germans and other proud Americans gone?
Rep Cotton , has he ever served or is he just another chicken-hawk? Has he got any idea what "boots on the ground" really means?
Bronze Star following tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Next time - read the article.
Thank you, blearyeyed , my mistake , read right over it.
I get upset when people talk about MORE defence spending and yes that includes the additional spending by our Presedent. I was one of those "boots on the ground" a lot of years ago and left friends behind. He!! just the waste, fraud, duplcation of programs and cost over runs go into the billions.
That's what governments do! I wonder why some people want to reduce government and its wasteful spending?
BCWC,
Sure stones are good. But you do know that Germany is considering leaving the Union don't you? They are not fine with how it has dragged down their economy. England is also reconsidering membership.
That's because in the European Union, England and Germany have the "other people's money" that the deadbeat parasite nations are trying to loot... much like here, where the deadbeat parasites are in Urban Ghetto Welfare Plantations and the suburban and rural taxpayers are the fleeced.... Oblunder and the Senate Democraps want another trillion of your hard-earned dollars.... and wait for the big finale... where they try to loot your 401Ks...
We spend more on our military than any other country in the world. Our military is the fifth largest user of petroleum in the world! They say supply and demand drive oil prices, so think about that the next time you have to fill you ride up.
Every time we screw around with a country it costs us a fortune and usually comes back to bite us in the ass.