[mgkimsal]

> the fact is you'd have to start by laying off millions of Americans and likely damaging the many smaller towns that have come to depend that income source

IF military downsizing is done mostly as a way to fund other areas - education and health, for example - there would be corresponding large increases in jobs/employment/industry around those areas, and I suspect it may spread the money around the country geographically a in a bit more balanced fashion.

Cut govt backing of new student loans, guarantee immediate payment of lesser tuition amounts for students, and the market will sort itself out there. If people can primarily just afford community colleges, the larger schools will adjust themselves to whatever the market will bear.