Confirmation Hearing for Colin Wixted

[Colin]

Mr Wixted, are you in favour of fiscal responsibility?

Well first I have to say what does that have to do with the Secretary of Defence position? Secondly yes I consider myself a supporter of a balanced budget and fiscal responsibility. This though does not mean that I will short change our military. They need continued funding and continued improvements to continue to be the best fighting force in the world and so the Atlasian military is able to respond to the new threats of the 21st Century.

[Colin]

Mr. Wixted, I would like to ask if you feel the budget of the millitary should be increased, and if so, why?

I feel that the military budget should be increased. We have already seen by the recent Iraqi insurgency that the military is underfunned and strdetched too thin. We must work on rectifying the problems in our military and keep on the cutting edge of new military technology. To do this we need more money appropriated to the military and to the Department of Defence. The Armed Forces still have the technology and training to fight the Soviet Union not the new menace of terrorism and urban warfare that we have seen in Iraq. So to answer your question yes I would propose military budget increases.

[Colin]

To increase the military spending, we would either have to cut funding for other programs or raise taxes. Which do you prefer, and which programs would you cut if you cut domestic programs to pay for your vision of the military?

Well personally I think that is the Senate jobs. I just propose options for the Senate to consider, I don't actually make and vote on the bills. You must remember that a Secretary of Defence is here to do two thing. One advise the President on matters of National Security, Military Matters, and Defence and two advise the Senate on those topics. I can just tell the Senate what it should do, it is their responsibility to actually do it.

[Colin]

To increase the military spending, we would either have to cut funding for other programs or raise taxes. Which do you prefer, and which programs would you cut if you cut domestic programs to pay for your vision of the military?

Well personally I think that is the Senate jobs. I just propose options for the Senate to consider, I don't actually make and vote on the bills. You must remember that a Secretary of Defence is here to do two thing. One advise the President on matters of National Security, Military Matters, and Defence and two advise the Senate on those topics. I can just tell the Senate what it should do, it is their responsibility to actually do it.

So you have no opinion on how the Senate should create the neccessary funds for an increase in military spending, you just want more funding for your department?

Well personally I would rather have other areas of the federal budget cut to facilitate a budget increase for the Defence Department but I would rather leave matters of fundraising to the Senate since that is their job. As I said before the Secretary of Defence just advises the President and the Senate, he doesn't write or vote on bills.

[Colin]

Fair enough. You seem to know what you're doing, so even though I can't vote on this, I support you for the job.

Well thank you Mr. Akno.

[Colin]

Abstain.
Nothing personal Colin, I think you'll do a terrific job, but I have developed a policy of abstaining on cabinet assignments when they are having a secured appointment, because that'll give me the political freedom to criticize them.

I really don't see what you mean by that. I now have only 4 votes for my confirmation thus still keeping me from taking the office of Sec Def. Come on Senators DO SOMETHING.

[Colin]

Can we please end this now. With 5 in favour and one abstention I am confirmed. Might I remind the Senate that it took six days for me to be confirmed. This shows the slow and unefficient nature of the Senate.

[Colin]

Can we please end this now. With 5 in favour and one abstention I am confirmed. Might I remind the Senate that it took six days for me to be confirmed. This shows the slow and unefficient nature of the Senate.

Not my fault: I only got me home internet connection back late yesterday.

Not saying it was since that was an understandable problem but what about the other Senators? It took 6 days for just 6 Senators to vote. That is a little discouraging.