Eliminate Nuclear Weapons in the Shortest Time Possible!

With all due respect, the idea of eliminating our nuclear arsenal is completely rediculous. As was pointed out nine countries currently have nuclear weapon systems and more are on the threshold. If the U.S. decides it does not want to be one of these nine countries, we lose all ability to stop the more radical countries with these weapons from releasing their arsenal. Mutually assured destruction (M.A.D) worked extremely well throughout the cold war, stopping any kind of broad conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union whether nuclear or conventional. Proliferation not only stops nuclear wars, but can also be a deterrant in conventional ones, too. Nuclear weapons give the holder power, and just like in our government there must be a balance of power to stop anyone from abusing it.