Reply #19: Some, I'm sure, would like to, but none are capable of it...

[Solon]

at least not without assuring their own destruction, MAD is still in effect, and even if it weren't, we are surrounded by allies on our borders and two oceans as well. The United States hasn't been in danger of actual invasion since 1812.

Indeed, the fact of the matter is that the United States hasn't been in direct danger from conventional forces in almost 200 years, and that had little to do with the size of our military, which was paltry in comparison to other nations for most of that time. Instead we were, and still are, to a large extent, protected by geography.

A true peace candidate would severely reduce our offensive capabilities without compromising our defensive capabilities at the same time. The only reason we have a military the size of the one we have now is so we can threaten others to follow our directives.