European armies of occupation

I don't have much sympathy for this kvetch. I would prefer if even more of the U.S. global occupation army was decomissioned. Other than for prestige, why are U.S. taxpayers subsidizing 70 thousand troops stationed in Germany? What interest of the worlds (or even of America's) peace is being threatened in Munich?

TheStar.com - In Germany, U.S. withdrawal plans raise jitters:

German officials voiced concern today that their country has the most to lose with President George W. Bush's announcement that tens of thousands of troops will return to the United States over the next decade.

With some 70,000 U.S. soldiers based in Germany, thousands of local jobs — from bakers to maintenance workers and office personnel — depend on the Americans, who first came as occupying forces after the Second World War.

European and Asian countries with U.S. troops have braced for the changes for several years, but Bush's announcement today that up to 70,000 uniformed personnel and 100,000 dependents will gradually be moved back to the United States brought home the full impact