Let's Cut Defense Spending.

       Why is it still a good idea to cut defense spending? Even with the duel needs to focus on Asia and Africa? We need to cut spending for the military, not because of what they have to do in two different parts of the world, but because we can't afford to do what we've been doing in every part of the world. We'll always need to participate in helping to calm things down all over the world, just not all at the same time, forever.
       We still keep a substantial presence everywhere we've ever been involved with combat with few exceptions. We need to learn how to fight a war, help clean up after the war and then get out. Do we honestly need to protect Europe? From whom? What about Japan? Do we still need a strong presence there? In the Asian Pacific region, yes, but Japan itself?
       The kind of military we need in the 21st century is unlike the military we needed for WWII. Which is the kind of military we still demand, along with our more current needs. What we need is a lot more drones and quick response teams and gorilla warfare units. Keep the Marines intact, but convert the Army into a cyber/drone/Special Ops force and a Ready Reserve force.
       But these aren't the areas of greatest expense. It's the cost of keeping weapons systems the military no longer needs and hasn't for years, simply because they're made in some Congressman's district. Eliminate new weapons systems the military doesn't want to develop but that Congress does. What does Congress know about military needs? Very few of them ever served a day in the military.
       Congress only knows what their constituents want. They''ll fight for the most ridiculous program if it will get them a few more votes. And why should screw drivers cost $50 and toilet seats hundreds of dollars? Refer them to Home Depot or Lowes. The prices of items available in the marketplace should reflect marketplace prices. Contractor fees should also reflect marketplace prices. We don't need to create multi-millionaire plumbers. And mercenaries are just too expensive.