Tanks for responding, Gaffer. I won’t argue at all with the wasteful process and inflated prices we end up paying for the M1’s. Countries buy tanks for the same reason just about everyone on Free Republic owns guns: in the hope that they will never be needed. In this sense, I hope their purchase is a total waste of money. You do have a very good point on how they are used. Specifically, will they be donated/given/ sold to someone who may turn them against us? Most likely, we will have a new President making those foreign policy decisions before they hit the field. Whoever our new Commander in Chief is, he should have a strong capability to defend our nation.
Thank you. I’m not against discussions about whys and wherefores at all. We can disagree - that’s what this country is supposed to be about.
I know I share your wish for a competent President. Regrettably, I think it is a Herculean task ahead of us to remove the stain of his tenure, though.