The danger for the US are inside, not outside. The military spending is already far sufficient to guarantee the safety of the country against external state nations.
The issue is that it does not spend enough to maintain internal peace. The dudes that took over the capitol aren’t Chinese or Russian.
Now of course, you could use your military power to control your population and prevent it from rebelling even if it is unsatisfied by the government. But wouldn’t that turn the US in an oppressive state.
Less military spending and more social investments is the way to go if you want to prevent the US from turning into a backwater nation.
I agree from an optics pov but even with the capitol thing.. half the country and half the politicians elected by them think it wasn’t a big deal. Meanwhile everyone argues over it while..
Everything is in control, at least in my opinion.
I’m just a simple tax payer, and honestly I trust the people who really run the country while laymen argue over dumb shit and our side vs that side etc.
Try growing up in a country where corruption is rampant, people die from religious and sectarian violence (sometimes sanctioned by the govt itself), and living without reliable electricity and water because the money was eaten by bribes and gangsters.
Moved to the USA and it’s literally night and day. In a world full of dictatorships, corruption, and awful human rights, the USA is way better.
Only an intellectually dishonest person who has never experienced hardship (getting laid off from a 400k tc job doesn’t count lmao) would think otherwise.
Yes, that's true for the West as a whole in general, but looking at history and its past super powers, I see parallels to their declines. A nation prospers, becomes the wealthiest, most powerful and most advanced one on the planet, and then just... Exists. There's no real problems to solve, because while it might not be paradise, looking around you in the world, there is nothing to strive for in comparison. Politicians can just wank off most of the time and give emotional speeches, pocket some money somewhere and basically just keep the wheel steady during their term, while making low-risk but high-visibility "changes". Because everything is still good enough.
Fortunately for the US we are located in the best place to be - North America. Separated by the Pacific and Atlantic from trouble.
Here’s how I look at US position.
Canada is our resource pit. And let’s be honest. We are each other’s best ally.
Mexico could become our best manufacturing partner and replace China dependence.
China is surrounded by a bunch of countries that would rather side with America (and they do).
The EU only exists because they have no choice after fighting each other for thousands of years over dumb shit. And the USA bankrolls their defense so cool they can afford healthcare for their people while not fulfilling their NATO dues. Again, we are their eastern bulwark against the Russians.
If we weren’t giving billions to Ukraine for example I doubt they would be standing a chance without such superior help and firepower.
Truth is. America has already won even if it loses.
Speaking of pocketing some money, just check out the stock market performance of US Senators over the past few years vs the general population. This was not the vision of the founders and is not the sign of a healthy democratic system.
The issue is that it does not spend enough to maintain internal peace. The dudes that took over the capitol aren’t Chinese or Russian.
Now of course, you could use your military power to control your population and prevent it from rebelling even if it is unsatisfied by the government. But wouldn’t that turn the US in an oppressive state.
Less military spending and more social investments is the way to go if you want to prevent the US from turning into a backwater nation.