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If our goal in backing the Ukrainians was to weaken Russia, haven't we failed miserably? And how has pushing Russia and China into being allies helped America's

If our goal in backing the Ukrainians was to weaken Russia, haven't we failed miserably? And how has pushing Russia and China into being allies helped America's interests? It makes me sad that we allowed hundreds of billions in tax dollars to flow to American weapons makers even as millions of Americans are forced to sleep in tents on sidewalks.

SvenL 3y ago
I think if those billions of tax dollars would not be spend on weapons there would still be millions of Americans be forced to sleep in tents. I think this issue has nothing to do with money.
VK538FY 3y ago
The Russia-China thing is a super interesting topic. It was always the case that Russia needed a strong industrial power with which it could exchange its resources. Resources too big even for a strong Russian industrial base and for much of history its shipping capacity. The partner industrial power could only be either Germany (since the late 19th century) or China (since let's say the 1970s). Either one would do but China is now by any measure the more trustworthy partner. Done. Germany and Europe haven't even begun to feel the pain of their choice.
jfengel 3y ago
Our goal in backing Ukraine was to keep Ukrainians from being dead, or worse. And if you don't think there's such a thing as "worse", you weren't keeping up with the news from towns that the Russians took over. It wasn't about weakening Russia. Russia is weakening itself, by putting so much of its economy and infrastructure into a fight that it can't win even with a much smaller opponent. It has destroyed its own army and demonstrated the inadequacy of its military technology. It is, indeed, sad that the US has not solved its own homelessness and other problems. But pearl-clutching about that is just Russian trolling: we hadn't solved those problems before Russia attacked, either. And when Russia finally gives up in humiliation, we'll still have our own domestic problems. But not nearly as bad as the overwhelming incompetence, corruption, and horror of Putin's monstrosity.
injb 3y ago
>>> millions of Americans are forced to sleep in tents on sidewalks. Do you have a source for this?
- ianburrell 3y ago
  Government thinks that there are 580K homeless in the US. Also, most homeless don't sleep on the sidewalk. Most stay with friends and relatives. Lots sleep in shelters. The actual number is about 200K sleeping outside each night. Plus, the people that make this argument don't actually want to help the homeless. They don't advocate giving the homeless money; $10k each would be $6 billion. Leaving plenty for Ukraine.

SvenL 3y ago

I think if those billions of tax dollars would not be spend on weapons there would still be millions of Americans be forced to sleep in tents. I think this issue has nothing to do with money.

VK538FY 3y ago

The Russia-China thing is a super interesting topic. It was always the case that Russia needed a strong industrial power with which it could exchange its resources. Resources too big even for a strong Russian industrial base and for much of history its shipping capacity. The partner industrial power could only be either Germany (since the late 19th century) or China (since let's say the 1970s). Either one would do but China is now by any measure the more trustworthy partner. Done. Germany and Europe haven't even begun to feel the pain of their choice.

jfengel 3y ago

Our goal in backing Ukraine was to keep Ukrainians from being dead, or worse. And if you don't think there's such a thing as "worse", you weren't keeping up with the news from towns that the Russians took over. It wasn't about weakening Russia. Russia is weakening itself, by putting so much of its economy and infrastructure into a fight that it can't win even with a much smaller opponent. It has destroyed its own army and demonstrated the inadequacy of its military technology. It is, indeed, sad that the US has not solved its own homelessness and other problems. But pearl-clutching about that is just Russian trolling: we hadn't solved those problems before Russia attacked, either. And when Russia finally gives up in humiliation, we'll still have our own domestic problems. But not nearly as bad as the overwhelming incompetence, corruption, and horror of Putin's monstrosity.

injb 3y ago

>>> millions of Americans are forced to sleep in tents on sidewalks. Do you have a source for this?

ianburrell 3y ago
Government thinks that there are 580K homeless in the US. Also, most homeless don't sleep on the sidewalk. Most stay with friends and relatives. Lots sleep in shelters. The actual number is about 200K sleeping outside each night. Plus, the people that make this argument don't actually want to help the homeless. They don't advocate giving the homeless money; $10k each would be $6 billion. Leaving plenty for Ukraine.