Sunday, 30 December 2012
Saturday, 29 December 2012
Military Part #2
Without looking it up I suspect the purpose of the US military is primarily twofold. One is protection of the US from foreign attack. It is pretty much a given that no country at least, would dare attack America. If they did it would be a pretty clear and decisive smack-down at the hands of the US military.
The second purpose appears to be the promotion of good governance and democracy in foreign countries. One would assume that the foreign land would have to have some US strategic interests, or there would be too many interventions. This may explain why the US is involved in Iraq and not Syria.
To the credit of the USA, America does not appear to have any expansionist plans. Unlike the Roman & British Empires, America is content with the land they currently occupy.
Even a military as strong and powerful as America's can run into difficulty in foreign interventions. The prime example would be Vietnam. That war was lost. In the end the Communists from the North took over the South, which they occupy to this day. One could imagine if the USA had decided to put forth enough resources they could have won that war. Americans made a decision that it was not worth the lives of more American soldiers, or the financial cost.
The Iraq War was a winner. The reason for going to war in Iraq is still suspect. If regime change is the goal, then Syria would be an obvious choice, but the US military is spread too thin in two wars already. There is no desire from a blood and treasure standpoint to enter another war. You have to believe that when the US pulls out of Afghanistan, that the country will revert back to the Taliban. Yet it was the more justifiable war of the two. Saudi Arabia, where the 9-11 terrorists originated and were financed, apparently was given a pass for strategic (oil) reasons.
Canada sat out the second Iraq War, which appears to have been a good call. We did send troops to Afghanistan. While genuine efforts were made to improve the lot of the people, in particular girls, we all know that the country will not remain a democracy after the last of US troops depart.
A third goal of the US military appears to be to act as a deterrent to Arab countries hostility toward Israel.
If I were looking for ways to save money on the US military, I would recommend closing bases in Europe, South Korea and Japan. At least cutting back resources dramatically. China and Russia are weak militarily. Russia appears to be a spent force. I would cut back on Naval spending. This recommendation from an ex-Navy man. I would cut back on submarines (cold war), save the aircraft carriers, if used in lieu of overseas bases as a quick strike capability for aircraft.
I would suggest that a less interventionist strategy would save lives and treasure, as well as likely stir up less hatred among foreign radicals.
If you are going to send young people to war, you have to spend on their reintegration back into civilian life, as well as full funding for war related medical treatment once they return home disabled. To make cuts for those treatments in Canada and the US cannot be justified.
The second purpose appears to be the promotion of good governance and democracy in foreign countries. One would assume that the foreign land would have to have some US strategic interests, or there would be too many interventions. This may explain why the US is involved in Iraq and not Syria.
To the credit of the USA, America does not appear to have any expansionist plans. Unlike the Roman & British Empires, America is content with the land they currently occupy.
Even a military as strong and powerful as America's can run into difficulty in foreign interventions. The prime example would be Vietnam. That war was lost. In the end the Communists from the North took over the South, which they occupy to this day. One could imagine if the USA had decided to put forth enough resources they could have won that war. Americans made a decision that it was not worth the lives of more American soldiers, or the financial cost.
The Iraq War was a winner. The reason for going to war in Iraq is still suspect. If regime change is the goal, then Syria would be an obvious choice, but the US military is spread too thin in two wars already. There is no desire from a blood and treasure standpoint to enter another war. You have to believe that when the US pulls out of Afghanistan, that the country will revert back to the Taliban. Yet it was the more justifiable war of the two. Saudi Arabia, where the 9-11 terrorists originated and were financed, apparently was given a pass for strategic (oil) reasons.
Canada sat out the second Iraq War, which appears to have been a good call. We did send troops to Afghanistan. While genuine efforts were made to improve the lot of the people, in particular girls, we all know that the country will not remain a democracy after the last of US troops depart.
A third goal of the US military appears to be to act as a deterrent to Arab countries hostility toward Israel.
If I were looking for ways to save money on the US military, I would recommend closing bases in Europe, South Korea and Japan. At least cutting back resources dramatically. China and Russia are weak militarily. Russia appears to be a spent force. I would cut back on Naval spending. This recommendation from an ex-Navy man. I would cut back on submarines (cold war), save the aircraft carriers, if used in lieu of overseas bases as a quick strike capability for aircraft.
I would suggest that a less interventionist strategy would save lives and treasure, as well as likely stir up less hatred among foreign radicals.
If you are going to send young people to war, you have to spend on their reintegration back into civilian life, as well as full funding for war related medical treatment once they return home disabled. To make cuts for those treatments in Canada and the US cannot be justified.
Military Spending Part #1
Conservatives in general do not like government spending, with the great exception being Law & Order items like Defence and the Police. In Canada, Harper went to great pains to point out that he increased Defence spending, as well as building more prisons despite a decreasing crime rate.
The USA is approaching what they call the Fiscal Cliff, whereby automatic spending cuts and tax increases will take effect on Jan. 1, 2013 if Congress fails to reach a deal with the White House on agreed spending & tax measures. Included in the cuts will be massive military spending decreases.
Let's look at the US military spending. They spend nearly $700 Billion on defence annually. Nearly 6 times more than number #2 China and 10 times that of former adversary Russia. About 30 times that of Canada. More than the next 10 countries combined and 40% of the world's total military spending. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost over $3 trillion to date.
I hear from Conservatives that Canada relies on the USA to defend our borders. They spend 3 times per capita ,their share of defence costs and we are a freeloader hiding behind US military might. Well exactly who is threatening Canada's borders? What nations are planning to attack? Islamic terrorists? Are nuclear submarines a deterrent to terrorists? Ballistic missiles? By all means increase spending on spy agencies and tactical special ops forces, but do we need to feed the military industrial complex that consumes so much of US resources?
The Cold War is over, Russia is spending 1/10 of US budget on the military. China 1/6th. The terrorists? Not likely 1/1000th.
Targeted military expenditures based on the current and expected near future threats, is the way to go. In the USA it wont happen as the military industrial complex feeds off itself. They feed off of fear and tap into fanatical patriotism and ironically so called Freedom. Freedom won and kept at the end of an ICBM.
In America the conservatives want a powerful war machine, but do not want to raise taxes to pay for it. The Right are happy to cut into social services to pay for the military. Despite the end of the Cold War they wont cotton to cut military spending to fight terrorists, with homemade bombs and IED's. By all means purchase personnel carriers that can withstand IED's, but cut back on the subs and foreign bases.
Got to laugh at the Right who believe that they alone are patriotic to the nation. The rest of us are terrorist hugging, immigrant loving pacifists that refuse to defend freedom. That is why the US military is filled with Hispanic and Black soldiers, while Romney's 6 military aged boys took a pass on serving their country in a time of war. As per usual the underclass fight the rich man's wars. The Republicans voted several times to cut VA spending on disabled war vets. It happened in Canada as well until the Cons were called out on it.
When I have the time I'm going to set out again, a budget to balance Canada's finances. It will be a document that makes sense and is fair, balanced and would save taxpayers $Billions, while building subways and transportation corridors. No politician has the mettle, or stones to implement my plan.
I have more to say on foreign wars, protecting our borders and military expenditures. Part #2 to come. Think I'm US bashing? BS! I work for a US company, note my BBQ below, my boat and even my brand new winter coat, were all made in the USA. I buy North American when I can.
The USA is approaching what they call the Fiscal Cliff, whereby automatic spending cuts and tax increases will take effect on Jan. 1, 2013 if Congress fails to reach a deal with the White House on agreed spending & tax measures. Included in the cuts will be massive military spending decreases.
Let's look at the US military spending. They spend nearly $700 Billion on defence annually. Nearly 6 times more than number #2 China and 10 times that of former adversary Russia. About 30 times that of Canada. More than the next 10 countries combined and 40% of the world's total military spending. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost over $3 trillion to date.
I hear from Conservatives that Canada relies on the USA to defend our borders. They spend 3 times per capita ,their share of defence costs and we are a freeloader hiding behind US military might. Well exactly who is threatening Canada's borders? What nations are planning to attack? Islamic terrorists? Are nuclear submarines a deterrent to terrorists? Ballistic missiles? By all means increase spending on spy agencies and tactical special ops forces, but do we need to feed the military industrial complex that consumes so much of US resources?
The Cold War is over, Russia is spending 1/10 of US budget on the military. China 1/6th. The terrorists? Not likely 1/1000th.
Targeted military expenditures based on the current and expected near future threats, is the way to go. In the USA it wont happen as the military industrial complex feeds off itself. They feed off of fear and tap into fanatical patriotism and ironically so called Freedom. Freedom won and kept at the end of an ICBM.
In America the conservatives want a powerful war machine, but do not want to raise taxes to pay for it. The Right are happy to cut into social services to pay for the military. Despite the end of the Cold War they wont cotton to cut military spending to fight terrorists, with homemade bombs and IED's. By all means purchase personnel carriers that can withstand IED's, but cut back on the subs and foreign bases.
Got to laugh at the Right who believe that they alone are patriotic to the nation. The rest of us are terrorist hugging, immigrant loving pacifists that refuse to defend freedom. That is why the US military is filled with Hispanic and Black soldiers, while Romney's 6 military aged boys took a pass on serving their country in a time of war. As per usual the underclass fight the rich man's wars. The Republicans voted several times to cut VA spending on disabled war vets. It happened in Canada as well until the Cons were called out on it.
When I have the time I'm going to set out again, a budget to balance Canada's finances. It will be a document that makes sense and is fair, balanced and would save taxpayers $Billions, while building subways and transportation corridors. No politician has the mettle, or stones to implement my plan.
I have more to say on foreign wars, protecting our borders and military expenditures. Part #2 to come. Think I'm US bashing? BS! I work for a US company, note my BBQ below, my boat and even my brand new winter coat, were all made in the USA. I buy North American when I can.
Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Sunday, 23 December 2012
Monday, 17 December 2012
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