We don't have to afford them (police departments can't afford them either), that's why I wanted the Feds to "gift" one to me. I mean what's the better situation: An American getting a hold of one those or giving them to our cowardly "allies" (who hate us really) in the Middle East who then quickly abandon them and run? Then ISIS gets them -- LOTS of them -- to use against us if we go back. I HOPE Obama and the Joint Chiefs of Staff* aren't THAT stupid to go BACK there (but they may be).
Besides, we don't have to afford MRAPs because if "stuff happens" they will come to us, free -- curbside service. Doesn't get any better than that, does it? Stuff delivered to your doorstep, free? ;-)
And do you think the police (et all) are trained in military tactics on how to USE them effectively in the first place? Of course not.
I think the concern about a "militarized police force" -- or even Homeland Security -- is WAY overblown. But maybe you'd have to be a combat vet to see that.
за Родину!
P.S. Why the PAINT? Should I paint mine white with the black initials UN on it, or what? I already have my intimidating blue helmet. And with some leftover blue paint, I can go William Wallace to be even more intimidating, yes? ;-)
*BTW, they sound TODAY just like they were back in the Vietnam days, saying how great everything is going -- how all that training of Iraqis and Afghanis is WORKING (NO IT ISN'T, NEVER WAS). What deluded yes-men (to the also naïve & clueless President) the Chiefs of Staff are. And were then. More Robert McNamaras. And more pusillanimous pussyfooters.
I'd rather have nattering nabobs of negativism.
-- Spiro T. Agnew