"I always considered myself a Republican, primarily because of a belief in smaller government. And if you want a smaller government, you don’t want wars — especially wars that can be avoided."

Follow the money.

The last time Republican's put a damper on the plans of big business and big government was during Jackson's presidency.

I agree with this fully. Having a huge military that spends a ludicrous amount of money on an unnecessary was is NOT small government! Looks now like it's the Republican party that needs to re-think what they stand for.

Both parties are umbilically wedded to the military-industrial-congressional-complex. I believe that is what Eisenhower originally wanted to say. His aids made him strike the part implicating Congress. The pentagon is a lobby for military contractors who lobbyists are former congress men and women.. The relationship between Congress and the Military Contractors of America is entirely incestuous. Congressmen who retire then go on to lobbyists for Boeing, Lockheed Martin, etc.

Kauaiguy: I agree completely. The puzzle is whether to reject the system altogether, or to hope that an incremental approach can gradually succeed. And on that point, I guess we just follow our instincts - for I freely admit I am just making my best guess!