Rbit, I'm not blaming vietnam on the people who fought there. If things had been a little different, I probably would have been drafted to go there myself.
I'm saying that we should have a REALLY strong military...with probably NO foreign bases. Look at Switzerland as an example of a Constitutional Republic, where EVERY man is required to get - and maintain - military training:
"mandatory military service, and this military service is a requirement for all men aged between 18 and 34. They have to do between 18 and 21 weeks of basic training, and then they have to do 3 week refresher courses on an annual basis, until they serve a total of 260 days military service."
It is my understanding that, thereafter, they are required to keep a gun, with ammunition, at home.
"Switzerland's constitution (modeled after that of the United States) was adopted in 1848 and substantially revised in 1874. A thoroughly revised constitution, approved by three-fifths of voters, entered into force in 2000, though the changes were mainly formal, with little alteration to the structure of Switzerland's government. Because the old constitution had become immethodical and ..."
So, Switzerland is well prepared to defend itself. And yet stays out of war as much as possible, which is almost all the time.
Here is their war history. Keep in mind their current Constitutional Republic came together over time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_Switzerland
Anyway...what would be wrong with a strong, prepared military...and NO foreign entangling alliances?
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