[mark_l_watson]

Right on.

As Fred Wilson points out this is partially a political problem: getting most people to agree to necessary changes.

It is tough to cut defense spending however. Throughout history the rich and powerful have become richer and more powerful through wars. The chances of the government acting in the best interest of our country is about zero.

Another way that the rich get richer is on the "war on X" where X can be terror, drugs, etc. I just heard a good lecture on how much illegal drug money gets money-laundered through Wall Street by the drug cartels. Good luck changing that.