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The Europeans will never contribute what we feel they should in terms of military expenditures, because they view the way the United States spends money on the military as extremely wasteful (e.g., building and deploying missiles that cost $2 million each instead of $50,000 each).
The United States spends what it does on the military largely to support a robust defense industry that represents a large part of our economy and employs a lot of people. In contrast, Europe, China, and Russia are focused on developing and deploying weapons systems that deliver the best bang for the buck (e.g., 90% of the performance for 10% of the cost), so they will always spend less to produce similarly equipped (albeit somewhat less advanced) force.
And Europe can see the world differently, because the US dumps billions into European military bases and billions into defending Europe.
Europe profits off of our industrial military complex as it allows them to spend more on their social programs.
Presidents (of both parties) for decades have been asking Europe to pick up a bigger tab of defending Europe from the eternal Russian boogeyman.
Democrats oppose this on partisan grounds - not ideological. If Hillary was pushing the same issue, Democrats would be on here parroting the line.
Europe can defend Europe from Russia.
European Union 509 Million People with a $16.31 Trillion GDP has nukes.
Russia 146 Million People with a $1.33 Trillion GDP has nukes.
Reduce our military bases in Europe to help balance our own budget.
In all fairness, to make a military powerful, it should be able to secure a country's borders, defend against attack, provide a preventive deterrent against attack and be able to effectively project power to support the Country's interests abroad, potentially in multiple locations and conflicts. A degree of independence is also a requirement.
The only country that is capable of delivering across all these spheres is currently the USA. Russia the next largest military, has run down much of its navy and does not have the level of support services. It has some excellent equipment, but build and maintenance are ongoing issues. China and to a lesser extent India have a growing military but still focused on internal security and border control, and as yet lacks capability to project outside its sphere of influence. European majors, France, UK and Germany have differing merits.
Germany has a larger and stronger army, but traditionally focused on defending Western Europe. The USA considerably outweighs others in terms of its Carrier battle fleets, supported by a global network of bases of differing capabilities and roles. NATO countries do help, along with Australia,
Japan and some other nations, to provide the USA with this global network which enhances the USA's overseas presence and the speed of their reaction and can provide back up to their own Carrier battle groups, providing a formidable presence with a relatively short build up in many of the World's potential "trouble spots"
remember something--- we pay to play- we want our boots on the ground all over the world- we want world dominance even if sublime- it is the USA who has strategically planted our seeds everywhere for easy access to all parts of the world-- The interest to OWN the manufacturing and oil -etc is for us to protect- look at the BIG picture please.. .
Yet it is not translating into US citizen benefit but only in Elite benefits, The Us citizen is paying as much taxes as Let us say British or Australians and yet it is no receiving Single paid health care system, neither Tuition Free University education as in Germany or France, Aside to the Fact that The Property taxes in USA and the construction costs force you to build with cheap materials, You have the worst quality of houses among First World Western Nations, all these is thanks to the Fact that Most of the Budget of the Government of USA goes to Military spending to Safeguard the interest of Elites rather than turn them back to small Tax payers in a way of compensation and to decrease income inequality.
The Middle class in USA is demanded to enroll in the army to fight for Big Oil companies of which owns nothing not a single stock share. in Exchange for A University Credit which is also paid by the taxes of his parents, brothers, and all who are not enrolled. Somehow you are demanded to work for the elite and your government is working also for the elite rather than for you.
Last edited by Alonso_Castillo; 05-29-2017 at 10:10 AM..
Trump is moving towards Russia, and turning his back to the West.
I first learned about Trump decades before he became a political sensation. He was brash, cocky, loved surrounding himself in gold, he was a lousy businessman but a great salesman. The driving force in Trump's life is personal gain.
I have seen nothing in politician Donald Trump that tells me he has changed.
Whatever dealings he has had with Russia, be they treasonous or not, is all about benefiting Donald Trump. Patriotism, loyalty to his voters, campaign promises, none of it is even a blip on the radar that is in Donald Trump's mind. His only focus is personal gain.
That was how he was decades ago and that's how he is today.
He has left contractors, developers and banks in his wake of destruction. America looks to be next.
Am I looking through the looking-glass at some of these ridiculous conservative posts. A few points:
1. 2% of gdp for defense is a guideline and not mandatory.
and
2. If there are issues with disparity with defense spending you do it in private discussion and you do not humiliate your allies in a public forum and threaten a break up of the alliance....unless of course you are a patsy for a foreign adversary.
Hahaha, what? Are you new to following politics? U.S. presidents have complained publicly for years about Europeans not paying enough for defense spending. Talk about a ridiculous post.
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