Poll finds almost no one thinks Trump's military parade is a good idea

President Donald Trump made waves this week as reports emerged that he had asked the Pentagon to work up plans for a massive military parade akin to the type normally seen in countries like Russia and North Korea.

But according to an informal poll conducted by the Army Times, most people don’t support it.

Nearly 9 in 10, or specifically 89 percent, of the publication readers who responded said the parade is "a waste of money and troops are too busy." Another 11 percent supported the idea, describing it as a "great opportunity to show off U.S. military might."

The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that planning for a military parade is now underway at the behest of the president.

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Defense Secretary James Mattis said on Wednesday that President Trump’s desire to hold a military parade is rooted in his "fondness" for the U.S. armed forces.

"I think we're all aware in this country of the president's affection and respect for the military," Mattis said during a press briefing.

Mattis also noted that he and others have been "been putting together some options" for review.

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Trump reportedly first mentioned the idea last July after attending the annual Bastille Day parade in Paris, which featured numerous troops and a bevy of military equipment.

While his inspiration reportedly came from France, there are concerns that a public display of tanks and assorted large weaponry would draw associations with totalitarianism and North Korea.

Other critics have complained that such a parade would likely come with an immense price tag thanks to the costs of assembling and displaying the military's biggest and most powerful machines.

The U.S. military budget is far greater than any other country in the world. According to data from 2014, America spent $610 billion on the military -- about 34 percent of the world total, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. By comparison, that's nearly three times higher than China, which came in second place with an estimated $216 billion in spending and more than six times more than Russia, which came in third place with about $84.5 billion in military spending that year.

Critics of the plan have been vociferous in their objection, including Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, who called the possible parade "a fantastic waste of money to amuse the president" and suggested the funds instead be used to "fix military housing, hire more [Veterans Affairs] doctors…or give more flight training time."