Why can't we keep our military and defense spending (read: R&D, science, etc.) top notch, and use it to fuel civilian quality of life?

I never understood why we have to remove one thing to do something else. Sometimes you just need a redirection right?

I mean sure, GPS was meant for missile guidance, but now we use it to go to our friends place for game night or taking the family on a road trip.

The internet wasn't made for memes, but here we are. And we play online games together too.

We spend like 1-2 trillion on medicaid and medicare.

My personal vision (which may differ obviously from others) is for America to be the best nation to ever exist, in terms of what it offers to its citizens, and to the broader community at large. And for me that includes the best military power (gotta keep the insane crazy countries and terry's in check), the best social quality of life (healthcare, housing, safety), and the best outcomes for everyone who is here (pursuit of happiness).

I find it fascinating that this country has gone through hell and back (civil war, civil rights, world wars, etc.) and held it together, and it is one of the primary reasons I admire the country so much even though it has its issues (which country doesn't?) and aspires for something greater.

For someone like me, Europe can be a very racist place and I know from first hand accounts from others like me how they're treated as an eternal outsider, not to mention their imperialist history and bloodshed... Where I'm from is a 3rd world developing country that was set back by invaders and imperialists for centuries.

America offers a balance that is really hard to find in the world, it is a true melting pot and I love it here.