Do you support the troops?

Originally posted by USArmyParatrooper
It's the marrying of a national military with private industry. So please answer my question. Why would the opinions of the founding fathers, who lived in horse & buggy days, be relevant today?

Beats me. They were just a bunch of retarded slave owners.

Now where is that Constitution? I need to start a new fire in the fire place.

Originally posted by USArmyParatrooper


It is literally impossible for a country to have an adequate means of self defense without a military industrial complex. You can reasonably argue that the size and scope of the US military goes beyond what is necessary, but the mere existence of an MIC absolutely is necessary.[/b]

Tell that to countries like Switzerland.

Originally posted by whodey
Tell that to countries like Switzerland.

Switzerland has the Military Industrial Complex of the people who have a s**tload of their assets there.

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
It's just a meaningless phrase, like "God bless America".

Neither phrase is meaningless to everyone.

Originally posted by Rank outsider
'Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg?

I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while ...[text shortened]... in which I provide it.

I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way.'

"I want the truth"

Originally posted by USArmyParatrooper
Why would the opinions of the founding fathers, who lived in horse & buggy days, be relevant today? None of them could have foreseen the technological and industrial explosion of the 20th century.

It is literally impossible for a country to have an adequate means of self defense without a military industrial complex. You can reasonably argue th ...[text shortened]... ilitary goes beyond what is necessary, but the mere existence of an MIC absolutely is necessary.

Until 1941, we had no MIC, or a very limited one.

Today we routinely build new weapons systems which probably will not be used, unless we find a war to get into.

Shrinking the military is like herding cats in a thunderstorm. Bases, arms manufacturers, are all local and regional economic engines that Congress doesn't give up easily.

It is my impression that Democrats would reduce the military willy nilly, without regard to effectiveness and mission. Republicans would jealously guard their pet home bases, and manufacturers. Getting reform would not be easy.