Ok people, I am going to make this very simple considering some of my audience. I am an American, Republican. I am a Republican because I was raised to have high moral standards, and I feel that the Democratic party doesn't not support these standards. Make of that what you must. I fully support my country, and I would defend it at the drop of a hat. I love this place. Our military isn't really that big. If any of you have actually studied our military, you would know that it has been drastically cut, just like it always has been during times of peace. For some odd reason, the people that are running this country cut funding during times of peace (disarmament). During times of war, we scramble to rebuild quickly enough to make a difference.
The Navy's numbers have been cut in manpower, and ship power. Almost in half since WWII. The Navy went from approximately 600 ships to around 300. The Army has been drastically cut in manpower and equipment power. There are hundreds of tanks sitting in the desert at an Army base in Texas. We no longer have the resources to keep them up like we should be able too. The United States Marine Corp's CH-46 Helicopter, which was originally designed for 3,000 flight hours, has been pushed to more than 30,000 flight hours. The Air Force's B-52 bombers have been in service for at least 30 years just like the Marines' CH-46. Many of the B-52s are nearly 50 years old, and have over 50,000 flight hours. The U.S. goverment continues to cut military funding, and continues to close bases.
As for the size of militaries, size does not matter now that the Cold War is over. They really aren't that big compared to China's and considering our population. During the Cold War, there was an arms race. Countries worked as hard and as fast as they could to build massive armies to face the other massive armies. It's not the size of the tool; it's how you use the tool. The war in Afghanistan has proved that this is true. The United States Marine Corps, which is America's premeir fighting force, was called to do the job. The Marine Corps is very small compared to the Army. That is why they could pick up and move to Afghanistan so easily. While the Army was trying to figure out how to move so many troops and equipment, the United States Marine Corps was already there kicking ass. They were able to do this because of their relatively small size, and with the help of the Navy. That is why the Army got there several months later, and has the clean-up job. I do realize that the Army Ranger's were some of the first to drop on the air base and seize it. I am talking talking about the main assaulting force.
As for paper money, it is very durable. It is also made from a renewable resource. Many people work very hard at reforestation. As for metal money, i.e. coins, they are all fine and dandy. But they are made from a non-renewable resource. I don't mind carrying around change in my pocket, because I use it to buy sodas. I really hate pennies though. Worthless things.
I wish that everyone would just stop bashing each other and just get along. Someone once told me that one points out others faults and exploits them becuase the has many insecurities with himself.