True. And we did not have welfare programs, food stamps, Medicaid, disability insurance, Pell grants, agricultural subsidies, or social insurance programs like Social Security or Medicare.
In 1913, the military budget was $400 million. Today, it's $700 billion.
That is $14 Billion in 1913 money. Most of the spending increases are because of devalued currency. The rest of the increase, is that there is no reason to defend the entire world, or fight a major war on 3 different fronts. Most of our Naval forces are obsolete, and will be destroyed in the first week of any real conflict. If we really wanted to project force, and protect the country, a huge submarine fleet and orbital defensive and offensive platforms would be cheaper and more reliable.
Most of our Naval forces are obsolete, and will be destroyed in the first week of any real conflict. If we really wanted to project force, and protect the country, a huge submarine fleet and orbital defensive and offensive platforms would be cheaper and more reliable.
Maybe, but Russia, not having the extraordinary budget of the US, has economized on military development resulting in their superior S-400/500 anti aircaft systems. Doubtless they have similar anti-ship development as well. I think they have a torpedo capable of 200 MPH speeds.
The future of war is in these anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles because they are and will be far cheaper than the vessels they will target. Ranges will be increased as well, so a few hundred launched en masse will be sufficient to decimate an entire US Naval task force in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. The US military hasn't figured that out yet, choosing antiquated pride of traditional military might over the reality of improving military technology.
