Americans: How do we justify

[DVK916]

How do we justify spending more money on training blood lust soldiers to kill women and children than we do on educating our old children.

How do we justify spending more money on training perverted soldiers to rape and pillage those in need than we do on research to cure diseases that kill our people in need.

 

[glenn1]

We do it just to piss you off.

 

[raildogg]

You ungrateful sheep, its those soldiers that have kept this country free and democratic. Freedom is not free. You have to fight for freedom and certain times and we have fought for it throughout our history.

Be thankful for those soldiers or you and I wouldn't have the right to even post this.

But yes, we should spend the money that we spend on our military elsewhere, like creating more schools that specifically teach diversity, tolerance and acceptance of others. Yes, diversity, tolerance and acceptance ... the cute gentle and soft stuff that people like you want.

 

[DVK916]

Originally posted by: raildogg
You ungrateful sheep, its those soldiers that have kept this country free and democratic. Freedom is not free. You have to fight for freedom and certain times and we have fought for it throughout our history.

Be thankful for those soldiers or you and I wouldn't have the right to even post this.

If we didn't offend everyone we wouldn't need those soldiers. I support a pacifist goverment.

 

[Stunt]

Without the negative political spin...

I honestly feel the US is the closest to capitalism that the world has ever seen; this means the biggest and best of any profitable industry available. While the vast majority of americans are anti-state and almost libertarian, the military/defense industry is massive. Military and national security is a sector in which companies cannot sell on the national stage without piggy-backing the US as a country, and is far less profitable without huge state R&D budgets.

That's my take on why military spending exists in today's capitalist markets.

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: raildogg
You ungrateful sheep, its those soldiers that have kept this country free and democratic. Freedom is not free. You have to fight for freedom and certain times and we have fought for it throughout our history.

Be thankful for those soldiers or you and I wouldn't have the right to even post this.

But yes, we should spend the money that we spend on our military elsewhere, like creating more schools that specifically teach diversity, tolerance and acceptance of others. Yes, diversity, tolerance and acceptance ... the cute gentle and soft stuff that people like you want.

Trust me...you can maintain freedom with a much smaller military...just look at the numbers.

How many times more do you invest compared to your closest potential enemy?

 

[DVK916]

Originally posted by: Stunt
Without the negative political spin...

I honestly feel the US is the closest to capitalism that the world has ever seen; this means the biggest and best of any profitable industry available. While the vast majority of americans are anti-state and almost libertarian, the military/defense industry is massive. Military and national security is a sector in which companies cannot sell on the national stage without piggy-backing the US as a country, and is far less profitable without huge state R&D budgets.

That's my take on why military spending exists in today's capitalist markets.

Then maybe we have too much capitalism. Those companies shouldn't be researching weapons, but instead they should research more usefull things like cures for diseases.

 

[MCsommerreid]

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: raildogg
You ungrateful sheep, its those soldiers that have kept this country free and democratic. Freedom is not free. You have to fight for freedom and certain times and we have fought for it throughout our history.

Be thankful for those soldiers or you and I wouldn't have the right to even post this.

If we didn't offend everyone we wouldn't need those soldiers. I support a pacifist goverment.

Even pacifist governments have soliders, ala the Swiss (or the Sweeds. I never can keep that one straight).

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: DVK916
Then maybe we have too much capitalism. Those companies shouldn't be researching weapons, but instead they should research more usefull things like cures for diseases.

Pharma is already a very profitable industry.

Making people live longer is just allowing for more legacy and old age costs to the economy where boomers are the largest demographic.

Investing in heavily in healthcare and drugs would significantly lower our standard of living as compared to military spending...

Sounds like a pretty brutal thing to say, but just being realistic.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: MCsommerreid

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: raildogg
You ungrateful sheep, its those soldiers that have kept this country free and democratic. Freedom is not free. You have to fight for freedom and certain times and we have fought for it throughout our history.

Be thankful for those soldiers or you and I wouldn't have the right to even post this.

If we didn't offend everyone we wouldn't need those soldiers. I support a pacifist goverment.

Even pacifist governments have soliders, ala the Swiss (or the Sweeds. I never can keep that one straight).

"The rights of neutrality will only be respected, when they are defended by an adequate power. A nation, despicable by its weakness, forfeits even the privilege of being neutral."
-Alexander Hamilton

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: MCsommerreid
Even pacifist governments have soliders, ala the Swiss (or the Sweeds. I never can keep that one straight).

Swiss...
purely defensive nation.

but...

the Swiss Confederation states that "every Swiss male is obligated to do military service"; every Swiss male has to serve for at least 260 days in the armed forces; 19 years of age for compulsory military service; 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscripts receive 15 weeks of compulsory training, followed by 10 intermittent recalls for training over the next 22 years; women are accepted on a voluntary basis, but are not drafted (2005)

 

[DVK916]

I am not calling for no military but a 75-85% reduction in spending and 80-90% reduction in number of soldiers. We need to pull all of our men out of iraq too.

And we also need to destroy over 90% of the weapons we have.

 

[MCsommerreid]

The US should only reduce when China and Russia reduce. China is our main military competator, and we should match or better them in military power (not necessarily related to spending).

Infact I think the USs non-mobilised military spending is pretty accurate for our current international position. Personal US money shouldn't be wasted on wars, and should be spent on technology and training to bolster defensive and offensive cabalilities to be used when attacked or when truely needed to topple a dictator.

 

[Stunt]

Good luck implementing that...US spends 3.3% gdp on military; this is not too far off many other industrialized nations:

Australia 2.70
France 2.60
United Kingdom 2.40
World 2.00

Also, the nato average and requirement is 2%, therefore your plan would bring it below that level.

 

[ntdz]

Originally posted by: DVK916
How do we justify spending more money on training blood lust soldiers to kill women and children than we do on educating our old children.

How do we justify spending more money on training perverted soldiers to rape and pillage those in need than we do on research to cure diseases that kill our people in need.

The real problem is that people like you haven't had a proper education. Ever heard of a logical fallacy, because your whole post is one.

 

[Todd33]

Originally posted by: raildogg
Freedom is not free.

It cost a buck O' five.

 

[Dissipate]

How do we justify anything the government does? That's the first question I would ask.

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: Dissipate
How do we justify anything the government does? That's the first question I would ask.

To support the weak majority who would be hopeless without support from others (average person is not dependable when it comes to helping others)

 

[JS80]

You must be a Frenchman from pre-1940 who died before the Nazi invasion and reborn in the 80s.

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: Stunt
Without the negative political spin...

I honestly feel the US is the closest to capitalism that the world has ever seen; this means the biggest and best of any profitable industry available. While the vast majority of americans are anti-state and almost libertarian, the military/defense industry is massive.

Are you joking? I might agree with you about pre-WWI U.S., but definately not today's U.S.

The vast majority of Americans are anti-state and almost libertarian?! News to me! Last time I checked the vast majority of Americans didn't give two craps about politics. Oh yeah, they watch politics on 24/7 news channels, but for the most part they just pay their taxes and behave like 'good little citizens.'

I would say the vast majority of Americans believe in the religion known as authoritarianism and play along with it, but in the end they really don't give a damn about what goes on in Washington. Even people who vote barely spend any time keeping tabs on even local politicians, let alone some faceless demogogue up to thousands of miles away in D.C.

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: Stunt

Originally posted by: Dissipate
How do we justify anything the government does? That's the first question I would ask.

To support the weak majority who would be hopeless without support from others (average person is not dependable when it comes to helping others)

The weak majority? The majority is usually not that weak. It is usually the strongest in terms of sheer force.

 

[Orignal Earl]

Originally posted by: Stunt
Also, the nato average and requirement is 2%, therefore your plan would bring it below that level.

How do we Canadians get away with it then?

In 2004-2005, defence spending accounted for 1 per cent of Canada?s GDP, roughly $420 per capita, and foreign aid spending accounted for 0.19 per cent of Canada?s GDP, roughly $65 per capita

Link

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: Dissipate

Originally posted by: Stunt

Originally posted by: Dissipate
How do we justify anything the government does? That's the first question I would ask.

To support the weak majority who would be hopeless without support from others (average person is not dependable when it comes to helping others)

The weak majority? The majority is usually not that weak. It is usually the strongest in terms of sheer force.

Ideally speaking the 20 kids in a grade 6 class have all the power due to sheer force; but in reality the bullies tend to have the most power. It's not until there's a structure of teachers and parents where the power is supressed. Eliminated no...but supressed.

Speaking as one of the kids who was bullied for little to no reason; i see the benefit to some state run programs (ie. law enforcement, safety nets for those who cannot help themselves). Although overall, I do consider myself somewhat anti-state...

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: Orignal Earl

Originally posted by: Stunt
Also, the nato average and requirement is 2%, therefore your plan would bring it below that level.

How do we Canadians get away with it then?

Riding on the backs of our allies.

When Canada goes to war, we have to call the Americans to give us a ride; do you not find that sad?

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: Stunt

Originally posted by: Dissipate

Originally posted by: Stunt

Originally posted by: Dissipate
How do we justify anything the government does? That's the first question I would ask.

To support the weak majority who would be hopeless without support from others (average person is not dependable when it comes to helping others)

The weak majority? The majority is usually not that weak. It is usually the strongest in terms of sheer force.

Ideally speaking the 20 kids in a grade 6 class have all the power due to sheer force; but in reality the bullies tend to have the most power. It's not until there's a structure of teachers and parents where the power is supressed. Eliminated no...but supressed.

Speaking as one of the kids who was bullied for little to no reason; i see the benefit to some state run programs (ie. law enforcement, safety nets for those who cannot help themselves). Although overall, I do consider myself somewhat anti-state...

Too bad governments across the world are stacked with bullies and much worse. So much for that plan.