Do We Have Any Hope of Shrinking the National Security State?

     I must confess that, at times, the goal of shrinking the U.S. national security state from its  current behemoth size to something more modest and reasonable seems like a hopelessly, quixotic pipe dream.  After all, the corporate and military interests dedicated to maintaining the status quo are enormously powerful, and they are ruthless in their commitment to self preservation.  Plus, when the nation remains, in one way or another,  perpetually at  war; it's seems impossible to obtain the broad-based  political support necessary to make dramatic cuts in the defense budget.

     Yet,  I remain convinced that substantial military spending decreases will occur in the near future for the simple reason that current expenditure levels are not sustainable.   The national deficit is just too large. Also, much of the U.S. perceived need to project military power around the globe is based on the economy's oil dependence.  Since it's now painfully apparent that we can't remain addicted to fossil fuels,  the U.S. will steadily  increase investing in alternative energy sources.   Then, as oil dependency decreases, the need for a world-wide military presence to maintain control of supply lines will diminish.

      The cycle away from our current high tide of militarism has already begun. It will play itself out over time.  However,  we can't become complacent.  Much hard work remains to rally the support to bring about desperately needed changes, sooner rather than later.

     Saddle up, Amigos.