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Is the American military wasteful because it provides too much security? How much should it be reduced to provide sufficient security? This is a legitimate ques

Is the American military wasteful because it provides too much security? How much should it be reduced to provide sufficient security? This is a legitimate question/ I don't have an opinion either way - but it seems to be a fair corollary.

ggggtez 8y ago
Unlike bitcoin, every person in the US has an (more or less) equal vote to help decide that. Congress's job is literally to decide whether to spend more money on military, among other things. And also unlike bitcoin, when you pay the salary of 450k+ soldiers, among other jobs and such created, that's likely a lot better for the economy than random people converting electricity into crypto tokens. What does bitcoin provide in terms of add-on benefits like jobs? The ability for power companies to maximize profits by having their supply used more fully? Edit: Additionally, you can argue that the US army does not provide too much security, because it doesn't take someone more than a few seconds to look at the world and see the world is not 100% safe. There are numerous areas such that, if money was not a concern, could be made safer and more profitable by adding more security. Creating infinite trust in bitcoin would... do what exactly? Let nerds buy drugs on the internet?
- hndamien 8y ago
  Some would argue that it fixes the economic system so that we won't have booms and busts anymore and can start seeing capitalism in action proper. That seems to be a worthwhile investment, and may even help prevent wars (which are often financed by currency debasement).
- ric2b 8y ago
  > And also unlike bitcoin, when you pay the salary of 450k+ soldiers, among other jobs and such created, that's likely a lot better for the economy than random people converting electricity into crypto tokens. Jobs are only useful if they waste people's time? Mining is a job. Mining can also become green much faster than constantly moving around millions of tons of vehicles can. > Additionally, you can argue that the US army does not provide too much security, because it doesn't take someone more than a few seconds to look at the world and see the world is not 100% safe. I would argue it decreases security, with all the wars and disruption it caused in the last decades.

ggggtez 8y ago

Unlike bitcoin, every person in the US has an (more or less) equal vote to help decide that. Congress's job is literally to decide whether to spend more money on military, among other things. And also unlike bitcoin, when you pay the salary of 450k+ soldiers, among other jobs and such created, that's likely a lot better for the economy than random people converting electricity into crypto tokens. What does bitcoin provide in terms of add-on benefits like jobs? The ability for power companies to maximize profits by having their supply used more fully? Edit: Additionally, you can argue that the US army does not provide too much security, because it doesn't take someone more than a few seconds to look at the world and see the world is not 100% safe. There are numerous areas such that, if money was not a concern, could be made safer and more profitable by adding more security. Creating infinite trust in bitcoin would... do what exactly? Let nerds buy drugs on the internet?

hndamien 8y ago
Some would argue that it fixes the economic system so that we won't have booms and busts anymore and can start seeing capitalism in action proper. That seems to be a worthwhile investment, and may even help prevent wars (which are often financed by currency debasement).
ric2b 8y ago
> And also unlike bitcoin, when you pay the salary of 450k+ soldiers, among other jobs and such created, that's likely a lot better for the economy than random people converting electricity into crypto tokens. Jobs are only useful if they waste people's time? Mining is a job. Mining can also become green much faster than constantly moving around millions of tons of vehicles can. > Additionally, you can argue that the US army does not provide too much security, because it doesn't take someone more than a few seconds to look at the world and see the world is not 100% safe. I would argue it decreases security, with all the wars and disruption it caused in the last decades.