Forget leading the world, seat on the UNSC etc.
Simple facts: the military do not win votes, nor are there enough personnel to sway the vote, unless y'all register for a postal vote in DC's Witney constituency!
The Social Security budget is close on 50% of GDP: that is the "benefit" of a socialist Govt. I can look forward next year to my tax bill exceeding £70K, direct and indirect, and because I can't get NHS dentistry I'm going to Romania to have my teeth done.
You also have to examine how the military promotion system works: does it encourage liberal and radical thought?
You get the leaders you deserve: both political and military.
On another tack, Mr B Liar's latest revelations about the Iraq invasion do beg the question: how many of you actually doubted his reasoning and questioned it?