The United States has spent more than $7.6 trillion on defense and homeland security since the attacks of September 11, 2001.
Military spending accounts for 54% of our GDP. We have a "Super Committee" trying to make a dent in our deficit by removing social programs that account for a very small percentage of our total budget. If we really want to make a dent (and improve the world's perception of America), reduce the Defense budget by closing bases and reuniting troops with their families.
Bin Laden is dead. The Iraq "war" is over. Let's let the world continue to rotate without us and stick with UN approved Humanitarian efforts when solicited by the countries themselves.