There is a massive scandal that has not been covered by corporate media–the Pentagon cannot account for $8.5 trillion (since 1995). If you combine “known” Pentagon waste (like the $1.5 trillion F-35 fighter) and missing Pentagon money, you have a sum equal to half of the national debt. Where is the demand for accountability? Where are the hearings, the indictments?
Progressives need to work this scandal into every political conversation, especially when talking with conservatives. Cutting government spending and accountability are supposed to be core GOP values. The unaccounted $8.5 trillion dollars represents about $70,000 from each of the 123 million US households. No politician should be allowed to talk about government waste or big government without being asked the follow up: “What will you do about the massive $8.5 trillion that the Pentagon can’t account for?”
Nothing reinforces the position that money for valuable social and infrastructure programs exists than this scandal.
Source:
Mike Tosner, “The Biggest Scandal in US History That We’re Still NOT Talking About,” Daily KOS. August 18, 2015. www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/19/1413372/-The-Biggest-Scandal-in-US-History-That-We-re-Still-Not-Talking-About#20150818211925
Student Researcher: Peter Zimmer, San Francisco State University
Faculty Evaluator: Kenn Burrows, San Francisco State University