What we lose is the ability to project force. Why do you think Putin is invading Ukraine? He reads the ink coming out of State Whitehouse and Pentagon. With the philosophy enumerated he knows it is cool to unite the old Soviet block. Why not? Why not try? See what the West will do.
One kick and the whole rotten mess falls down.
I agree that we wouldn’t be able to project force, but it can be argued that the costs in blood and money far outweigh the unpredictable gains to be had from projecting force. History provides a long list of nations destroyed by endless foreign adventures.
I think MOST forget too that YES I could build you a 100 story office bldg in a couple years.
But, building say a million man Army staffed with EXPERIENCED NCO’s and officers and PROPERLY equipped takes decades.
I think the Ukraine citizens had a couple days notice. Poor bastards. Like us, their country, which they now have probably lost, is currently run by feel good liberals that would rather stay home and sleep all day.