"...[T]he single greatest threat to our liberty in America is
uncontrolled spending by Congress. Americans need to understand the
stark reality behind the often boring and confusing budget rhetoric:
Congress will spend nearly $2 trillion in 2002. This amount represents
almost 11% more than Congress will spend in 2001. This massive
spending funds an unbelievable number of federal departments,
agencies, programs, and personnel. Most Americans understand that the
federal government is far too large, yet most of their representatives
in Congress continue to vote for spending increases every year. As a
result, the same unconstitutional agencies grow, the same
counterproductive programs are perpetuated, and the same military
adventurism expands around the globe. In short, this spending insures
that the federal government has more and more power over our lives,
power never dreamed of nor intended by the authors of our
Constitution. The more Congress spends, the less liberty we have."
--Rep. Ron Paul

Counterproductive, government funded, self-serving agencies including cradle to grave welfare cheques is a threat to Liberty. Military budgets are justified in the light of rogue nations,- like China, North Korea, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Iran and others. The British military budget is off the charts. Maybe the hard nose limeys think they can join the U.S. and somehow re-live their former grandeur by getting involved around the globe.