“Even if the most severe scenario now under discussion occurred–even if the congressional supercommmittee on the debt and deficit failed to act and automatic “doomsday” cuts of more than $500 billion over 10 years were imposed on the Pentagon–that would still amount to a decrease of only about 15 pervcent, leaving roughly the equivalent of what we were spending in 2007. It would hardly represent a radical rethinking of national priorities.”
–Todd S. Purdum. “One Nation, Under Arms.” Vanity Fair Jan. 2012: 74-79, 119. Quote on page 77.