Does the US really need a military? (McCain, stats, Kennedy)

[jdiddy]

Here's a good article about the unjustified, runaway spending on our military.

Breaking down the U.S. military budget. - By Fred Kaplan - Slate Magazine (http://www.slate.com/id/2183592/pagenum/all/ - broken link)

[Rggr]

That is a lot - until you look at entitlement spending.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by Rggr

That is a lot - until you look at entitlement spending.

True. They also have their own revenue streams outside of the general budget.

[lkm370]

the us military costs the america tax payer about $2,000 a year, what a waste of money

[Loujr]

I agree with Greg W1. Glad I didn't get too embroiled in this discussion. Too many opinions from those with no military knowledge. Aside from my profile speaking for my position, I've got a son who is a Platoon Leader in the 101st.

[dunkel25]

Originally Posted by lkm370

the us military costs the america tax payer about $2,000 a year, what a waste of money

Waste of money based on what criteria? Is the freedom provided by the military not worth at least that much?

[Floridabound09]

Originally Posted by lkm370

the us military costs the america tax payer about $2,000 a year, what a waste of money

You got to be kidding me. I believe in a bigger, badder, better military and would spend our last dime on them protecting us.

Do you not get that we have enemies and the world is changing. Russia is re building and awesome military as well as China and you think its a waste.

If anything drop the freebie social programs and spend money on our armed forces first.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by Bob The Builder

Is it possible that we could ever be in that position?

I went to grad school in SF with this woman who angrily told me that she would never put herself in a position where a crime could be perpetrated on her. I did not think much of her strategy, but it did give me some insight into the thinking of the far left. Or is that thinking just plain off the scale?

In any case, in a perfect world, we would need no military, no police, not judicial system at all because there would never be any conflict. I guess if everyone smoked enough dope, this could happen.

We need a military but it should be much smaller and limited in scope to the defense of the United States and its territories only. No more foreign adventures and nation building!

[LancasterNative]

We live in a world that's governed by the aggressive use of force. Anyone who believes otherwise lacks a basic understanding of human nature.

Human nature is inherently self-centered. Want someone else's stuff? Take it! If they resist, injure or kill them... Sadly, this is the world we live in.

The only thing that restrains man's wicked desires is brute force, or the threat of it. This is why we have militaries, law enforcement, courts and prisons.

These, in fact, are the only vital purposes of government: guaranteeing human freedom by upholding the rule of law.

Everything else gov't does is basically graft backed by state force—in a word, "corruption"!

[TKramar]

Originally Posted by Rggr

The law allows for preemptive action on the part of an individual if they feel their safety is at risk. That is because there is not a moral obligation to allow yourself to be attacked.

So, technically, since my safety is at risk every time I walk out my front door, I should go on a shooting rampage??

Or should I "wait" until I am actually attacked to respond appropriately?