"But we need a big military to like, keep us safe..."

From what? All of the enemies that we've created by HAVING a huge military and policing the world with wanton power and demand?

What of Switzerland then? They are completely neutral and guess what? They're left alone! Well, i'll be damned!

Alas...had we only listened to Washington at his farewell address to the nation.

Just to keep things in perspective:
-There are 737 military bases in foreign countries alone. That is NOT counting the ones here in the US.

-The US Navy has 11 Aircraft carriers and 2 that are still being built.

-A single Aircraft Carrier roughly controls a slice of territory the size of California.

-We have NOT declared war since WWII, making every war since then UNCONSTITUTIONAL at best.

I want to cut myself off there before i begin a huge list of expenses and logistical nightmares. My experience is only with the navy and i could talk for hours about the staggering amounts of worthless money that it takes to keep just ONE aircraft Carrier afloat but i'll stop.

I do believe in a strong navy, though some might say that i'm biased. Perhaps i am. But i've seen the navy in action and there are excellent patrol and protect ships worthy of our money, but not the earthshaking amount that we have! Eleven aircraft carriers is expensive and insane! And aircraft carriers travel in packs, them taking the lead as Alpha and dozens of smaller ships as followers. They are never, EVER alone.

Want to keep us safe? Really? Here's the deal:

-Close almost all of the bases that we have around the world. Leave a few open, such as Guam, Hawaii (US territories ONLY) and close the rest. We do need some military, so keep a smaller army (wayyyy smaller), train them properly (that's a topic for another blog) and cut the navy down to a handful of ships.

"But what if people attack, and we are weak."

That's what the new, smaller navy would be for. Just a few aircraft carriers could defend not only the US, but all of our territories if need be. I believe in taking up arms to defend this country, but i don't believe in sticking our guns up other countries backsides and demanding that they be more like us.

It's just like having a boss that screams "You pricks are nothing without me!!! Hahahahahaha. You're wrong because you're not like me and i'll force you to change if i have to!!!"

But just like the boss theory, what if he stopped? What if the prick was silent and he returned to his office and spoke to you only when something was under negotiation or business was to be done? Few people if any would bum rush him in his office and cut off his head.

And so i end with the military should only be for defense. Not for the expansion of the empire.