Cutting the Military Budget: A Posture for Peace

The U.S. spends vastly more on its military than the rest of the world, combined. We have the most advanced and best trained militaryforces. Anyone who claims that we are weak, is living in another world. However, it must be remembered that overspending on the military was a major factor in the economic collapse of the Soviet Union. The U.S. needs to learn from that example.

Serious questions must be asked about our military posture and strategy. What is the purpose of each of the hundreds of bases we have around the world? A global map of our bases vs those of any other country suggests that we want power and influence everywhere, but this is not the same as “providing for the common defense.”

Many have warned against trying to be the policeman of the world, but this is a mild analogy. A policeman is a neutral person, charged with enforcing the law. Our military is hardly neutral in its actions.

Do we need tens of thousands of soldiers in Europe, for example? What are they defending the U.S. against there? Why do we need bases in Latin America? Asia? Is any country there a threat to the U.S.? This is not a call for isolationism, as we can legitimately cooperate with other countries for common interests. However, our vast military commitments can safely be scaled back.

If we cannot justify our military presence in the eyes of host and neighboring countries, then perhaps it is time to reduce our commitments. Many bases in other countries should be closed, and our soldiers brought home. This would substantially reduce our military budget, and the risk to our soldiers. It also would send a message to the world that we are more interested in peace than in war.