So, Powell thinks 25% of military budget is doable. I thought fiddy. What are we waiting for?

[WingDinger]

The cutting of our military should be a walk in the park. Our empire is crumbling, and an orderly drawback could fund a smooth transition into other industries and technologies. The sheer mass of our equipment, in asserting our empirical prerogatives, is monstrous. As the bible says, beat their swords into plowshares. It is time to give up neocon goals of ruling the universe.

So whats stopping us? Our constant stream of American Exceptionalism. Any conception of national purpose not ordained by God, leading to excess, is thus far scoffed at. Some in the know, see our last truly relevant card to play as our military, if not in reality, as threat. IF we do not disarm, and soon, those same "some", will opt for lashing out, instead of facing difficult truths.

The sooner we give up that brag, that we live in the richest, greatest nation ever in the history of the world, and that we deserve it, the sooner we can shed our previous need to monitor and influence everything in the world.

That drawback of empire, could provide years of cultural and economic support. We could even have them pay to see us go.

And best of all, abandoning all those posts, and throwing the keys to the Chinese, Gives them migraine headaches. They don't yet know how to take care of their own, without being worlds cop. It will shock them. They may swear off empire.

[blindpig]

1. Fat chance

Ya don't do imperialism for the prestige unless you're a dingbat like Mussolini. Imperialism is a government service for the ruling class, that it might gather and hold resources and markets for it's profit. As long as those people are in place they ain't gonna let their cash cows go. It's profits on the cheap as the taxpayers pick up the tab.

It is our economic system which drives all of this, if we change that imperialism will have no purpose.

[FreakinDJ]

2. Do it... k/r

[Ozymanithrax]

3. Republicans control the house...so there will be little chance of defense cuts...

Also, no president, no matter what side, will voluntarily surrender the empire. Once it falls on its own, defense cuts galore, if there is a country at all.

[Major Hogwash]

4. "Our constant stream of American Exceptionalism."

I don't get it. What does he mean by that?

[WingDinger]

6. Everything out of Palin and Bachmannetc, is tinged with Am Ex, as a dare.

[bobbolink]

5. Its much better for the environment and more profitable to do away with poor people.

Its not a "tough choice".