US defense cuts

[AndyDT]

https://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamescorum/100070865/us-defence-cuts-are-not-about-saving-money-%E2%80%93-they-are-about-changing-america%E2%80%99s-strategic-role/

It is noteworthy that the Marine Corps has been targeted for the heaviest cuts as a proportion of force strength. The Marine Corps provides America with a great part of its capability to intervene in a crisis. With a smaller Marine Corps America’s strategic options are significantly reduced – all at a time of numerous threats and serious instability in the world.

For the President, major defence cuts serve two purposes. First, they free up funds for things important to him – such as growing the welfare state. Secondly, the cuts reduce the role of America in the world and limits America’s ability to combat threats to allies and vital interests. It is a product of the 1960s Leftist worldview that America is basically a negative force in the world for its opposition to “progressive” movements. The old Leftist belief was when America disarmed then other nations would disarm, too.

Mr Obama’s proposed cuts need to be seen as what they truly are. It’s not about controlling spending—it’s about changing the role of America in the world.

[rumborak]

Well, to argue from the other side of the view, that piece was written from an 80s mindset, a mindset where it was believed that with enough arms almost every national interest could be wrestled through on the international stage. That simply doesn't work anymore.
Obama isn't changing the role of the US in the world; the world has moved on on its own and changed the US' role, and clinging to old ideas and wasting money on them isn't helping anybody.

rumborak

[El Barto]

Well, to argue from the other side of the view, that piece was written from an 80s mindset, a mindset where it was believed that with enough arms almost every national interest could be wrestled through on the international stage. That simply doesn't work anymore.
Obama isn't changing the role of the US in the world; the world has moved on on its own and changed the US' role, and clinging to old ideas and wasting money on them isn't helping anybody.

rumborak

Indeed.  The old-school mentality that more firepower will always win a war.

Also worth noting is that the American military has been largely built around the notion of quality over quantity.  I don't really see this as a huge departure from the traditional norm.

[Chino]

I think less military would make the US not look less power hungry to the rest of the world.