4 ms·

As a US taxpayer, I would love if Europe started carrying it's own weight militarily rather than having our taxes pay for European security. The Ukraine conflic

As a US taxpayer, I would love if Europe started carrying it's own weight militarily rather than having our taxes pay for European security. The Ukraine conflict at least seems to have woken some Europeans up to the fact that they need to contribute equally to NATO instead of just relying on the US. But there doesn't seem to be much of an appetite in Europe for trading social spending for defense spending. It's more fun to dunk on American healthcare and pretend that Putin just really wants to be buddies.

nemo44x 3y ago
Maybe, but US hegemony is sort of important. It keeps our dollar the currency of choice and allows us to print money. A mainly obedient and docile EU makes a perfect platform for power projection. It’s a good deal for the US and makes treasuries even more in demand. Now, how we spend it is up for debate. But I’d be careful about throwing the baby out with the bath water.
miroljub 3y ago
> As a US taxpayer, I would love if Europe started carrying it's own weight militarily rather than having our taxes pay for European security. Why does your government push Europe to pay more for the military? Why would that interest you? Why don't you just move out your army and stop caring about Europe? > The Ukraine conflict at least seems to have woken some Europeans up to the fact that they need to contribute equally to NATO instead of just relying on the US. So the Ukraine conflict pushed Europeans to do more of what the USA wants them to do? It looks like it was beneficial to the US, after all. Pure luck that it started so suddenly :) > But there doesn't seem to be much of an appetite in Europe for trading social spending for defense spending. It's more fun to dunk on American healthcare and pretend that Putin just really wants to be buddies. I think your army should just stop "protecting" those evil and condescending Europeans. Just leave Europe and let them suffer for their choices. Not your continent, not your damn business.

nemo44x 3y ago

Maybe, but US hegemony is sort of important. It keeps our dollar the currency of choice and allows us to print money. A mainly obedient and docile EU makes a perfect platform for power projection. It’s a good deal for the US and makes treasuries even more in demand. Now, how we spend it is up for debate. But I’d be careful about throwing the baby out with the bath water.

miroljub 3y ago

> As a US taxpayer, I would love if Europe started carrying it's own weight militarily rather than having our taxes pay for European security. Why does your government push Europe to pay more for the military? Why would that interest you? Why don't you just move out your army and stop caring about Europe? > The Ukraine conflict at least seems to have woken some Europeans up to the fact that they need to contribute equally to NATO instead of just relying on the US. So the Ukraine conflict pushed Europeans to do more of what the USA wants them to do? It looks like it was beneficial to the US, after all. Pure luck that it started so suddenly :) > But there doesn't seem to be much of an appetite in Europe for trading social spending for defense spending. It's more fun to dunk on American healthcare and pretend that Putin just really wants to be buddies. I think your army should just stop "protecting" those evil and condescending Europeans. Just leave Europe and let them suffer for their choices. Not your continent, not your damn business.