as a matter of fact some progressive countries use(d) to require licenses for owning kid(s)

as far as the government starting a war against somebody who doesn't present a threat - well that's just evidence of governments getting smarter. they used to start wars all the time and they used to last quite a bit longer (there's a group of them named the 100 year war).... at least now they can pick a state that's not as powerful as theirs.