That's right, Rik.  Who took care of the pioneers?  The more one is self-reliant, the better life they can live.  

The military issue is one of a psychological presence as well as a phyisical presence.  Because the U.S. has a functional military has probably made other countries think twice about taking some kind of militaristic option against one of their neighbors!  You have no idea, and neither do I.  The wars have all been declared whether you agree or not.  So, please just get off this negative attitude toward our military.