A thoughtful posting.
One thing I don't see in it though is expressed in Latin as, "Si vis pacem para bellum". That is, if you wish peace, prepare for war".
Watching what is happening in Greece, I am convinced that there are hard times ahead for the U.S. This would be a bad time to be weak; economically, morally, or militarily.
I agree 100% with that, and always have. If there is one single thing in my life I have taken to heart, it is that weakness invites aggression.
Like those close-eyed, pin-headed terrorists in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world. They aren't good at much, but one thing even thugs like that are good at is spotting weakness, and we have it in spades.
It is one of the things I will forever be grateful to Ronald Reagan for: Undoing the damage that the left did to our military during and after Vietnam, making us strong, and making it honorable to serve.
I also agree with your assessment of Greece. It is hard for me not to watch them and see ourselves.