Because of the terrible destruction wrought by a nuclear war, the major powers are weary of engaging in warfare with any but the most defenseless of nations (Iraq, Vietnam, Argentina, Afghanistan, Serbia...etc..). This effect has no doubt saved hundreds of millions of lives; as another World War would have been quite likely some time during the Cold War era (or even now, as tensions mount between the U.S., China, Russia, and the E.U.).

Americans as a whole want to feel safe, want to feel secure. If the U.S. Government takes that away, all of America will go into an unstoppable downfall. Nuclear weapons, as it seems, are a huge part of U.S. safety. The bombs, Just the mere mention of them, can stop an entire country in its tracks from invading. These bombs, may just save America.