[Czar]

First, I agree with everything you said. In addition to the very valid point you raised about revitalizing the manufacturing base so that we are self-contained when it comes to military conflicts, there is something else now transpiring which we need to factor into our thinking: BRAC.

Note the extremely long laundry list of new bases proposed for closure. Kind of makes one wonder doesn't it? That hi-tech lean, mean fighting machine is just ducky, but if the balloon ever goes up with Red China (and it will), we're going to need our military bases and a much revitalized defense industrial base, including the previous and unparalleled subcontractor/supplier base.

[NewRomeTacitus]

Not only does the man refuse to defend our sovereignty, he helps weaken it's remaining defenses.

Novus Ordo Seclorum.