America is broke, so it can be the world's most police officer

The annual battle over the budget is at its peak, and Washington continues to display its malfunction. This fiscal irresponsible affects more than just internal programs. In the coming years, it will likely affect US foreign and military policy as well.

The U.S. government has no more duty than to protect the nation. However, securing the common “ ”, as the Constitution defines, is something extremely easy. America is surrounded by large oceans in the east and west, and quiet neighbours in the north and south.

Today only Russia, with an arsenal of nuclear missiles, can launch a serious attack on America. However, Moscow has no incentive to do so, as the result would be disastrous revenge. China's army is expanding, but it has focused on Washington's prevention to prevent the domination of the People's Republic of China at home and in its neighbourhood.

Terrorists are numerous, but they are added mainly by the not-very well-thought policies of the United States, which create enemies and conflicts between other peoples and America. Moreover, while such attacks are terrible, they do not pose an existential threat.

Neither the conventional forces of America nor the nuclear arsenals offer the best answer. Expensive wars around the world are more likely to expand than to reduce the number of terrorist acts. The best option would be to engage less militarily, especially in the Middle East.

But why, then, will Washington spend $717 billion in fiscal year 2019 to maintain a large army, fleets and air bases worldwide? In case not for America itself. This is to protect the Allies, to exercise influence, to restore failed societies, dictate the behavior of different countries, and promote our values around the world.

All of this can have value, though much less frequently than reportedly. And neither.

It has nothing to do with the protection of territory, American citizens, constitutional system and prosperity. Sadly, assault is far more costly than prevention.

Most of the U.S. spending on the Pentagon goes to designed power. Hence, the United States has an extraordinary military budget, equal to that of a dozen countries combined. None of them, or all together, can defeat America.

On the contrary, Washington requires the ability to target them. The so-called subx0 defence budget” is the price of America's aggressive foreign policy. Playing the role of the global gendarme is not free. Though Americans should be prepared to pay any costs necessary for their protection but not for the remake of the world.

Sending Americans to fight and die for their peripheral duties has always been foolish. Even if America once felt rich enough to spend its financial resources on such goals, those times have already ended.

Washington de facto is bankrupt, having numerous unfinanced obligations.

Its fiscal future will only get worse when the “by Boomers” generation is retired. Last year, the Republican Party, once the self-declared treasurer, used the control of both parliament rooms in the Capitol Hill to raise federal expenses simultaneously and lower taxes.

The result was a deficit totalling $179 billion, well above $184 billion from last year. The last time Uncle Sam generated a large deficit, it was 2012 when the country recovered from the financial crisis. Sadly, the figures will only get worse now.

The Kong Budget Office (CBO) has indicated that the president's proposals on the 2019 budget will bring the deficit to about $1 trillion, without another financial crisis. And these figures will continue to rise, to $1,527 trillion in 2028, or almost double last year's level.

This increase in debt will be accompanied by increased interest rates, which have already begun their inevitable growth, while the Federal Reserve will begin to ease radical expansionist policy dating back to the time of the financial crisis.

Washington could hope for better news than expected: higher productivity, lower interest rates, and faster economic growth, which would ease fiscal pressures in Washington. However, the opposite is also possible.

In fact, the president's trade struggle increases the likelihood of negative changes, while avoiding an economic recession over the next decade, will require more than just luck. To avoid the crisis, future policymakers are likely to increase spending on “compounding the” economy, adding a deficit already expected to exceed $1 trillion annually.

Imagine an economic crisis like that of 2008, but with debt burden twice as big. Of course, Congress may increase taxes, but this measure is not as popular as spending cuts. Moreover, the growing deficit is largely the result of increased spending.

What will happen to the Pentagon, who spends so much money and time, and so many American lives protecting other nations whose majority are populated and prosperous? The cuts are inevitable. The first moment, it is a review of foreign policy, forcing Washington to give up his commitments or be forced to keep them without the necessary strength.

Also, the administration should end outdated alliances, adapting its structure of force in line with circumstances. This requires a serious debate about America's role in the world, and the inevitable compromise between military adventure, internal social programmes and private income.

Military expenses also deserve a particularly thorough review. Pre” American, as President Trump declares, should not imply ignoring the needs and rights of others. But she must admit, the main task of the American government is to serve her citizens.

The pre” American also means that war, given its unique costs, lost risks, lost money is the last means to be undertaken only for the most serious, even vital purposes.

Note: Doug Bandow, he's a member of the Kato Institute. He was former President Ronald Reagan's special assistant and author of the book “Foreign Crazy: New American Empire”

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