The US gets at least a few important things that I can think of (in theory... I can't comment on practice) for the money we spend:

(1) Less world sickness (that could come back and bite us otherwise).
(2) as stated above, fewer wars.
(3) more and larger markets in which to sell out goods.
(4) more places where US citizens can travel and vacation in peace.
(5) access to more raw materials.
(6) less poluted atmosphere and water.
(7) less of a chance of a nuke going off.

__________________
2006 X5 Sport 4.4i