Amen 999!!

(but I don't really think budget constraints are a defining characteristic of a 'free society'. My point was (or would have been if I had typed all the disclaimers) that the need for social services tend to grow faster than they can easily be met, and that dividing a shrinking budget is never easy when police & fire protection is also being cut and infrastructure...etc. is in trouble.)

I DO think defense spending could easily be cut without serious security problems.