[who_would_fardels_bear]

Why is there even a National Guard? Why can't we go back to having truly effective state militias that can be called up in time of need, but spend most of their time focused on local issues such as fighting forest fires, helping people recover from tornado/hurricane damage, protecting state borders, etc.?

I know that most states are too damn cheap and would maintain only token militias, but that's their problem.

Disband the National Guard and push the responsibility back on the states. That's one way we could make a bit of a dent in the national debt.

[ansel12]

Why is there even a National Guard? Why can't we go back to having truly effective state militias that can be called up in time of need, but spend most of their time focused on local issues such as fighting forest fires, helping people recover from tornado/hurricane damage, protecting state borders, etc.?

You can't maintain a fighting force like that.