Jeffrey Sachs: Bipartisan Support of War, from Iraq to Ukraine, Is Helping Fuel U.S. Debt Crisis

The United States faces a default on its debt in early June if a deal on the debt ceiling is not reached between the Biden administration and Republicans in Congress before then. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is pushing for sweeping budget cuts and new work requirements for recipients of government programs, including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and SNAP. Notably, however, neither Republicans nor Democrats are proposing cuts to one of the biggest drivers of the nation’s debt: the massive U.S. military budget. “We’ve got to get this military-industrial lobby under control, but it’s hard to do, because it’s a bipartisan affair,” says our guest, economist Jeffrey Sachs, whose recent article is headlined “America’s Wars and the US Debt Crisis.”

[almcl]

One of last honest, decent people. Fortunately Jeffrey hasn't sold his soul to the corporate gouls, unlike both sets of politicians and the media

[cobalt]

95% of the U.S. Debt is due to three sources:

1. These Forever Wars
2. Wall Street Bailouts
3. Tax breaks for billionaires and corporations.

Raise taxes on defense contractors, Wall Street Banks, and the billionaires and make them pay down the U.S. debt.

[judi]

US is 40% of the world’s total military spending . That’s crazy.

[cocoshumba]

One American who I totally respect and can take my hat off for is Jeffrey Sachs. He is so honest and doesn't beat about the bush.

[AGirlofYesterday]

Our budget priorities are pathologically out of whack. Trillions to war, destruction and death, but cut anything that helps people survive. Sick sick sick.

[blackmagic]

4.5 Million have needlessly died in wars since 9/11. Let that sink in.

[enosmutowelasiwakwi]

A gentleman among millions. What an honorable and reasonable American citizen. A true son of planet Earth. I salute you professor.

[brianineedprep]

What an honest man. If only 10 % of politicians could be that honest.

[michaeljoseph]

As George Bernard Shaw lamented: "The longer I live the more convinced I am that the other planets use the earth as their insane asylum."

[bonitaroache]

When all else fails, they take you to War...

[KHZ]

Thanks Jeffrey for telling the truth about what the americans tried to do to Russia in Afghanistan you're a very decent and honest gentleman

[jayobannon]

One of the best guests and the most truth I've heard spoken on Democracy Now in a very long time.

[amexjam]

This is the kind of important news that we don't hear on mainstream corporate media. Thank you, Amy and Juan and all at Democracy Now!

[artstrology]

Give that man the medal of freedom. We can reduce our military budget by 80% and still have more than we need to protect our shores. We have become a mercenary force and as a veteran I completely discourage anyone from joining our military until this is done. We fly to war, and that is all we need to know.
Britain, ..is a problem. We need to finalize the divorce, ... and start over. Also, tax the churches and make the defense industry non-profit. As long as there are profits, they are going to incentivize war war and more war.

[kellyray]

Our actions are disgusting. Imagine if we publicized all of the meddling that the US continues to do on national media outlets, but they wouldn't do that now would they? Too much money to be had, while most people are starving and or cannot get medical and dental care.

[lykaojalao]

I can listen to Prof Sax for hours and still want to listen more.
This is man of reason, a man of fact and a man who thinks about our Americans people interest before anything else.
As much as he would like to, he knows that the Eiltes are the ones dragging us into turmoils and as a citizen, we are doomed.

[andrewexplorer]

I think we all should ask a very rational question to ourselves very honestly ...
Where the American war addiction has led the world in the last six decades?

[paulwhetstone]

Finally, Amy is interviewing someone who is calling out the elephant in the room.

[njpbgbg]

Thank God for people like Jeffrey Sachs!

[johnaguirre]

Good to have Sachs on Democracy Now.A voice of truth and reason.