[jackp96]

I mean, obviously.

But when was the last time our "democratic values" were under attack by a foreign country and actually needed defending?

9/11? Pearl Harbor?

Maybe I'm missing something. We have a giant military and a tendency to use it. On occasion, against democratically elected leaders in other countries.

You're right; freedom isn't free. But foreign countries aren't exactly the biggest threats to American democracy at the moment.

[adastra22]

You have the causality at least partially backwards. Why has it been so long and infrequent that the US has been in direct conflict with authoritarian adversaries? Because we have a giant military and a willingness to use it. Pacifism and isolationism do not work as defensive strategies.

[kylestanfield]

War is peace.