certain unalienable Rights

[4th law of robotics]

65. Yep, the US is a virtual island.

We have major oceans on both sides of us and thoroughly peaceful relations with our only neighbors (well we've had issues on the Mexican border, but nothing like a war in a long time).

As such a powerful navy and air force are sufficient to guard our borders against most threats and project power when needed (like say by supporting uprisings against unpopular despots).

An army is a double edged sword: great for fending off enemies by shooting them until they behave, also great for oppressing citizens by shooting them until they behave.

This was common knowledge in the colonial days and part of the reason why absolute despotism developed on the mainland of Europe under strong central armies whereas the British remained (ironically given the revolution) relatively free due to their reliance on a strong navy and comparably weak army. That's part of the reason why "representation" was even an issue in the 13 colonies whereas no one in the French or Spanish colonies could have even conceived of that.

I guess at some point we forgot that.

/also it's really expensive during times of peace.

//if you get a chance this is an awesome history book that covers this phenomenon pretty well: http://books.google.com/books/about/War_and_the_rise_of_the_state.html?id=ZRKFAAAAMAAJ