President Obama is proposing significant cuts in military spending, primarily, it appears, in the number of Soldiers and Marines.
In principle, I have no problem reducing the number of boots. I am not fond of a standing Army. A lean, capable and professional Marine Corps is all we need on active duty as regards putting boots on the ground to hold a piece of real estate when it really matters.
We can call up volunteers to fill Army boots if we get into a pickle. Such an arrangement would also inhibit the Executive's ability to launch incursion after incursion. If people refuse to show up when called, because they do not support the mission, we'll be far less Imperial.
Our defense as a nation in today's world can be handled by a prudently designed and outfitted Navy for global force projection, and leave the skies and space to the Air Force. Drones can be deployed to do considerable work, without risking your son's life. Our nuclear Big Stick will keep serious threats at bay.
Of course, all of this is contingent upon having Leaders who will pull the trigger when necessary.
But We the People will be far less imperiled if we reduce the number of combat-ready Soldiers in uniform, looking for something to blow up and someone to kill. And no American should be on station to die for Europeans or Koreans.
In principle I'm supportive of this move. But the devil is in the details.
Here's one story on the topic.
Kerodin
III
