As we know, US military expenses are just under the total combined military expenses of all other countries. And, for sure, we have an awesome military that can quickly defeat almost any organized military force in the world, maybe except the Russians.
But there is another reason why these expenses are so huge. Here's an example. A week ago, I bought two lathes and a radial arm drill press from the military. All these items were freshly rebuilt, at a great expense. After a rebuild, they were placed on extremely heavy, and totally unnecessary, aluminum frames (cost plus?). After a while of sitting, these essentially new machines were set outside for a few months, which promptly rusted them. They they sold them essentially for less than scrap for pennies on the dollar.
Here's the picture:
The aluminum subframes were worth about what I paid for them. If I did not buy them, someone else would pay even less for them.
They will be scrapped tomorrow.
I am not trying to brag, it was not that good of a deal, for me, after figuring out the cost of diesel fuel etc. I will probably make money, but not a lot. At the same time, I feel very bad about this great machinery going to be scrapped.
Out of them, I will try to clean up and sell a small turret lathe.
i