Just as hard is moving away from militarism. We not only need to make the necessary changes to run our economy on something other than weapons, but we need to drop the notion that weapons make us safe. It's not just the occupation of Iraq that has made us less safe because it's been poorly handled by a military that's stretched thin and ought to be even bigger. In fact, it's the existence of this mammoth military that puts us in danger. It is designed for offense, not defense. It exists to be used. During 86 percent of the days since this nation was founded, its military has been used somewhere in the world. Often the U.S. military fights against weapons manufactured in and sold by or given ...

Just as hard is moving away from militarism. We not only need to make the necessary changes to run our economy on something other than weapons, but we need to drop the notion that weapons make us safe. It's not just the occupation of Iraq that has made us less safe because it's been poorly handled by a military that's stretched thin and ought to be even bigger. In fact, it's the existence of this mammoth military that puts us in danger. It is designed for offense, not defense. It exists to be used. During 86 percent of the days since this nation was founded, its military has been used somewhere in the world. Often the U.S. military fights against weapons manufactured in and sold by or given as so-called aid by the United States. We should not fear our failure to manufacture new weapons. We should fear our failure to make friends with and share prosperity with new people.