"The U.S. can find the resources for endless warfare, but not for nation-building here at home" - That is exactly what it boils down to! No noise from Repub pols about sending US troops over the skys of Libya, but lots of screaming from Repub pols about health insurance for every Am citizen! Repub pols got their noise out of joint because although Obama met with Repub leaders to discuss US role in Libya he didn't explain the entire no-fly program NOT because the US always finds money for military ventures!
Agree the comments to today's NYT article by Bob Herbert are well-thoughtout/well-written.
Don't complain for what you don't have - be thankful you don't get what you deserve. Irish Proverb