And we would probably do just as well with a Democrat's robust military as the Republicans. We'd still have the 1st and 2nd most powerful air forces in the world, the most carriers, the best tech, the only place we can lose is man power. I'm by no means a peacenik but to be for Republicans because they are for a robust military is sets the bar so far in the favor of flushing money down the toilet that it's absurd. Military spending has been pretty hefty under Obama yet still I know Republicans who constantly bemoan the way Obama is hallowing out the military.
Again - we're on the same page, I'm just making a more limited argument. This is the first "democratic money" vs "republican money" has come up and I would agree that over the past 50 years or so, democratic military engagements tend to be more contained, IF you neglect the Vietnam War (started essentially by Kennedy, blown entirely out of proportion by LBJ). Kaplan would agree with you that forces-on-ground should almost never be used to do anything other than defend your own borders and yes - if you have your choice between a bitchin' army or a bitchin' navy, go navy. Now here's where I'm curious - where'd you get the idea that I'm "for Republicans?" 'cuz I've been voting since 1992 and the only Republican I've ever voted for... ...was George W. Bush... ...in the 2000 Washington State Primary... ...because it was open... ...and because I figured he'd be a much less credible opponent for Al Gore than John McCain. Boy, the universe sure threw us for a loop on that one.
Naw, my whole thing was the parent of being for the Republicans cause they are for a robust military, it's robust no matter what and probably too robust under the republicans. I have no problem with people voting republican, it's a complex world and military spending is just one reason to cast your vote. Not all that eager to see a big republican groundswell on the national level but that is just because they are such nutters at the moment. The candidates put up for election Oregon were just fucking abysmal (How the hell does a lady who's had the police involved in monitoring her stalking of ex boyfriends and husbands get to run for the U.S. Senate?)