Extraneous-2: Comment on US Military Budget, etc.

US Military Budget
Defense Secretary Carter is appearing before Congress this week to present the Administration's military budget.  I think he's covering the list of priorities pretty well, as I understand this list.

But one thing that needs emphasizing.  With the increased use of drones and the further implementation of automation in the military-regardless of branch--there's simply not the need for the level of troops reached in past years.  I would hope that Congress will not be swayed by the hawks in their midst who go so far as to urge increased troop strength.  Their arguments in industry would amount to dismantling automated data processing and bringing back Nineteenth Century business methods.  Today, I believe, we've gone way beyond other militaries, including China and Russia, etc. in the use of technological warfare and  the reliance upon automated cybernetics  Please no return to the Stone Age for the sake of those Congressional members who long for the past!

Specifically, the day of battlefield (or area) engagements is drawing to a close.  The great battles among  navy fleets are simply in the history books, no longer on oceanic waters.  The era's end even more rapid on land.

The Nostalgic Election, 2016
With the candidacy of Hilary Clinton, the Democrats display a longing for the prosperity of the 1990s under the Presidency of Bill Clinton.

But it is clear that the Republicans have never forgotten Ronald Reagan!  They've turned to another entertainer of glamorous notoriety for Presidential candidacy, though not of Hollywood origin, in Donald Trump.  In my hearing his speeches, I cannot but return to yesteryear when the simple folksy message of Reagan reverberated to the heartbeats of his many hearers, including me.  Yes, and even as President Ronald reduced the tax rates for wealthy citizens and sounded the drumbeats of war with Russia and Grenada that no doubt pleased a non-distinguished following of soldier Oliver North, so we should expect greater leniencies in the financial tax burdens among the wealthy if Donald T. becomes President and just as similar, international faux pas.

Nevertheless, Bill had his intent to take on welfare mothers so as to get them working, thus exhibiting a desire to better the lot of the taxpayers, while Ronald made a deal with Iran to release American soldiers to show a direction he was going to promote American interests.  That earnest desire to improve American democracy is missing from the dialogues of the current crop of Presidential candidates; and certainly is not evident in the declared plans of candidates Hilary and Donald, should either be elected as the New President.