russ, you're not a defense specialist, so let's bring in ben friedman of the cato institute. it's almost a 10% cut, i'm told. it's terrible. the republicans are hysterical about this. >> the pentagon is hysterical about it. both parties are hysterical, but it's about 10% which would bring us roughly back to where we were on defense spending in 2006. >> which adjusted for inflation. >> it was not exactly a crisis year in the pentagon. it's really a minor cut. they've gotten very spoiled at thale pentagon. they had years of luxury and big increases, and siso as soon as u cut the budget a bit, they scream to the heavens. >> john: defense secretary leon panetta said it will weaken our defense system, be irresponsible. senators mic mr. being cain and graham. these draconian cuts represent a threat to our national security and must not occur. >> i don't think that's the best way to cut the defense budget but it could be useful. we need bigger cuts in the defense budget because we do too much. this will force us, i think, to make choices. > >> john: what do you mean we do too much.