Today, ownership of a carrier for fixed-wing aircraft admits a nation to an elite club, but the US has more than everyone else in the world put together.
http://www.alipac.us/f19/does-anybod...rriers-258464/
BBC News - Does anybody still need aircraft carriers?


The United States spends five times more on defense than China, the No. 2 spender,

and 10 times more than Russia, the No. 3 spender.
http://www.alipac.us/f9/does-us-need...ending-267027/
Commentary: Does the US need to increase defense spending? - KansasCity.com