When you're Rome, baby, you don't want to be anyone else. :)

You're right, of course. However, the best way to not have to USE a nuclear arsenal, the most powerful military in the world, and a well-armed populace is to make everyone THINK you're going to use it.

The best defense the USA has is a crazy president. Say what you will about him, but every country in the world believed Ronald Reagan would use our nuclear arsenal at the drop of a hat. And that's exactly what kept us safe.

When the other side believes you'll take escalation right to the top, no one will fuck with you who wants a tomorrow. Just look at PL... they will escalate absolutely, and no one counter-drops them as a consequence.

Trump resonates with a lot of Americans who are sick and tired of politico-speak that doesn't get anything done. Trump would destroy the careers of many conservatives, even as he demonstrates the fatal folly of some liberal policies. He'd devastate both sides of the political spectrum, which is what a lot of people want.

Personally, I believe the status quo will see the United States diminish into a run-of-the-mill country. I'd much rather us remain capable of exerting our will at our leisure.

Mind you, I don't know enough about his policies to support Trump, but to me, right now, he represents, "Fuck every politician with a bass guitar," which is very appealing on many levels.

Then again, I absolutely want term limits for all levels of government, a felony charge to disqualify you from any public office forever (ie. all the Obama administration members who didn't pay their taxes until they took up their government roles), and any corruption charge to similarly disbar you. I'm the kind of person who would - if Benghazi was an arms deal gone south - strip all those involved of all their possessions and deny them fire and water within 1,000 miles of US territory (the old Roman exile language).