I also fall into
Wrathmonk's Cat 1. My chief reason for not responding anymore is the memory of a former boss's advice on promotion; "learn when to stop p**sing against the wind". No longer concerned with promotion but a long life without raised blood pressure would be nice.
That's a good point about confusing cash spent with effect bought. We try to field the best technically available Force without the benefit of economy of scale. The smaller we get, the more expensive it is likely to become. Expense is the principle embuggerance and puts it all firmly in the hands of traditionally Defence/War averse Treasury. The current financial crisis, that they must have had a grandstand seat for the run up, must be heaven sent for them. It now seems that they are no longer pulling the strings from the background:
BBC News - Minister Danny Alexander dismisses Trident replacement
It's the futility and the general Government selective deafness and myopia that supresses many of us responding to real events anymore.