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April 23, 2008
Standing Armies
Of the many complaints issued against George III, Jefferson included that "he has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies [...]" This was a huge issue to the founders. During the "Quasi war" with France, they created an "additional army", so named to be clear that the army would be dissolved the instant it was no longer needed. Otherwise, the army would be a threat to liberty-- a drain on the public treasury, an invitation to foreign adventure, a temptation to tyranny.
Through the latter half of the 20th century, we Americans faced the existential threats of first the Axis powers, and then the Soviet Union. For 3 generations, we grew used to having a first-rate, well trained military capable of being anywhere in the world at any time. We no longer face those threats; the army lingers.
Should we cut the military in half? Perhaps gut the Army and Air force, but keep the navy? Such a thing would be unthinkable for any president to propose... Somewhere Hamilton is laughing at us.
Posted by Andrew at April 23, 2008 07:20 AM
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