Ya know, I was whining last year about all of this, and Stark said something to me.
he said if we weren't doing this now, China would be "finding WMD" in Mexico and Canada in 20 years. They'd stage some BS, blame them, and take over. They'd quietly surround us. Then they would make a move on us. We'd have foreign occupiers. Our land and industry and families destroyed.
he said that nations do this, and you're either eating or being eaten. I laid in bed that night and suddenly it all made sense. THe people leading this country know more about the complexities of keeping 300 mil people living well, than I ever will. And since we're the only remaining superpower, they're sure doing something right.
I realized then - there are 2 mindsets - utilitarian and moral - and they will never be in agreement. I gave up trying to see the "right" thing, and grew the fvck up and started focusing on what keeps us strong.