Some former paleolibertarian FReepers used to argue that it was unconstitutional for us to have a standing army. In fact, one of those world-class idiots said that our Marines, airmen, sailors, and soldiers were on welfare! Why? Just because they were in the military and their salary came from Uncle Sam.
If you want a Google GMail account, FReepmail me.
They're going fast!
The US Military is exactly the logical extension of this.
In re the socialism charge against the military. This subject has always held great fascination for me since I was a teenager. I heard it "way" back then given where I was raised.
To a point, the charge is correct; but its a stretch. Yes, the military does have to have what appears to be a socialistic "flavor" in order to have "unit cohesion". And yes, we do pay taxes to pay those in the military to defend us.
When I hear that argument in the here-and-now, I usually ask the "spewer" to tell me what defense of me -- those on the public dole are providing -- how do any of these defend or further my liberties and freedoms.
They get upset, and want to change the subject.
I compare a homeless person getting benefits from Uncle Sam to the military (defending my liberties) -- and they get hysterical that I would dare compare the two.
This tells me, how little thought is involved in what they spew about the military being "socialist". lol.
I haven't heard a single story about anyone on the dole going down to New Orleans to help out, have you?
Libertarians have "big gun" envy, and Socialists have "envy" of everyone and everything, period.
Of course what idiot libertatians ignore is that their precious militias were based upon conscription, too.
Not legal conscription. Social conscription. If you got a reputation as a shirker you were an outcast for life. Who wanted to be "coward of the county" ? When your father and brothers are arming themselves, what are you going to do ? Develop a head cold ?