Here in America, we like to say that we live in the "Home of the Brave"… currently, America spends more money on defense than the next 13 countries combined; most of whom are our allies, and none of whom are our enemies. Try comparing this to a guy on your block in a good neighborhood who was so frightened of non existent prowlers, that he spent all of his resources on alarm systems, guns, and cameras; so much so that he didn't have enough money left over to maintain his home, provide healthcare to his family, and send his kids to college, would you call him brave?
I agreed to help moderate the Garm.....that's pretty brave.....and I live in America. So yes....America is the home of the brave.
This could provoke some interesting responses... I've never llived anywhere else to compare but I'd say we are also home of the paranoid.
Huh I posted before reading any other threads in the D&D and right on cue a topic about do you trust your government with 48 people saying no and only 3 yes..... Like I said Land of the Paranoid.
Mehh, most people don't really know **** about their government let alone the political process, I'd take most of these polls with a grain of salt. However, this isn't so much a statement on whether or not I trust my government. Rather, its a statement on how I don't trust the billionaires that make profits off of keeping politicians in their pockets which won't let them sway spendings away from areas we don't need them to areas that we do.
Every single part of your analogy is crap, especially the part about not having money left over. We have a $17 trillion economy, the fourth largest landmass and the third largest population to protect.
Seems like another "mighty America can never fall" post to me. How long before the effects of our debt, stalling economy, failing education system, rising inflation, falling currency, and crumbling infrastructure really hit us and open our eyes to the real threat against America: ourselves.
Don't forget the soon to be #1 oil producer. Folks with assets to protect tend to go to great lengths to protect their assets be it guns, insurance, a gated neighborhood, hired roaming security/body guards and an active in house security system. Often times for the very wealthy, it's all the above.
Same amount of suicide bombers you'll encounter in a secession, a global war on three continents or an arms race with an expansionist dictatorship with a comparable population.
later this decade a large part of that military expense will be shifted away from the global outlook and refocused inward, on you.
Nope, just stating facts while you're making dubious residential analogies. We have positive GDP growth and inflation below 3%. Our education system is the most expansive and accessible in the world, particularly at the K-12 level, and we've maintained a 99% literacy rate for decades, all while expanding militarily.
We don't spend all that money on fancy planes and ships and missiles to keep away non-existent prowlers. We do it so we can beat the crap out of all those other countries who don't do what we tell them to do (and don't spend enough on defense to keep us from doing it). Saddam didn't do what we told him to do, Khadaffi didn't do what we told him, the Taliban didn't do what we told them. China doesn't do what we tell them either, but they've spent enough on defense.
I don't see how bravery and national defense are equal. By your logic, some of the poorest countries in the world are the bravest bunch.
Then spending as a percentage of GDP might put everyone on a more equal footing. By that measure, the US is 10th behind cowards like Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Chad. The guys with the biggest balls are Iceland, followed by Mauritius, Laos, and Monaco. Watching out for Monaco -- they're the ****ing honey badger. Everything you've heard about the immense bravery of the Monacans is true, times 10.
Or some countries like Sweden just don't give a xxxk. North Korea may be at 75% Military/GDP. I do think global reach and geopolitical influence is a good thing for the US. OP cannot simply equate military spending to protection.
There is quite a bit of ignorance and over generalization in this message. Here are a few points that you have completely ignored. -A criminal in your neighborhood is not the same as a country bombing the crap out of your country. How well does the UN protect the rest of the world? At least your local cops can stop a criminal. -You don't stay a powerful nation by allowing other nations to get ahead. -By being the most powerful nation, we have better control of our economy, thus stabilizing the price of goods. -Our incredible military complex employees millions of well paying jobs. Further, it stimulates our tech industry. -We sell off our decommissioned arms to other countries and smile as our equipment is destroyed in these war zones. If you want to debate our imperialistic military across the world, that is one thing. But dont' pretend the billions we spend in our military will solve all of our other problems if we allocate those funds to liberal causes.
