Too Many Cops Are Told They’re Soldiers Fighting a War. How Did We Get Here?
Crime is at an all-time low yet spending on police is near an all-time high.  (Those factors could have a causal relationship, but I doubt it's the primary cause based on reading "The Better Angels of Our Nature".)  <a href="http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/spending_chart_1950_2010USp_12s1li011mcn_50t" rel="nofollow">http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/spending_chart_1950_2010...</a><p>Having big budgets but less crime means these swollen budgets end up being wasted on a lot of "fun" things like military gear.  (Did you know that Wisconsin has <i>two</i> anti-terrorism centers?  One in Madison and one in Milwaukee.)<p>I think this has something to do with politicians being unable to touch the budgets of first responders.<p>Tangentially, due to stringent building codes, the number and severity of fires has been dropping dramatically over time.  Yet spending on fire protection only goes one way: up.   <a href="http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/spending_chart_1950_2010USp_12s1li011mcn_52t" rel="nofollow">http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/spending_chart_1950_2010...</a><p>Today in the US, if you call 911 about an emergency medical condition, they will often send a fire engine along with an ambulance and a cop.  It makes me wonder if firemen and firewomen are so underutilized they've ended up with mostly make-work.