The US appears to be an excessively militarized society to some Americans.  We seem to be in the minority.

Military technology is causing a shift from mass armies, which must be "civilian based," to smaller, highly trained, and more lethal "professional" - which includes mercenaries - armies.  In the past this shift has led to the rise of authoritarian regimes dominating and controlling Empires.  This process can be observed in the US as secret police powers and the militarization of the "cop on the street" have grown.  

The "Pepper-Spray Cop" is more than an Internet meme.

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre