What does a TRUMP presidency look like?

[Admiral Yi]

The nuclear umbrella is what made the US the primary guarantor of security in Europe. Europe can defend itself against conventional Russian attack.

Then why in the world do we still have troops stationed in Europe, and more earmarked for NATO deployment?

[mongers]

The nuclear umbrella is what made the US the primary guarantor of security in Europe. Europe can defend itself against conventional Russian attack.

Then why in the world do we still have troops stationed in Europe, and more earmarked for NATO deployment?

Legacy.

[viper37]

The nuclear umbrella is what made the US the primary guarantor of security in Europe. Europe can defend itself against conventional Russian attack.

Then why in the world do we still have troops stationed in Europe, and more earmarked for NATO deployment?

To act as a rapid deployment force anywhere in the world?  How long does it take to deploy troops to the Middle East from Alabama compared to Bagram?

How long does it take to bomb Syria from the US versus Germany?

If Russia threatens US interests and commerce, which is easier, going all the way from the US to mobilize troops, or having a rapid reaction force in Europe?

Which was richer, US in 1931 or US in 1961?

[viper37]

https://www.state.gov/procurement-forecast

400M$ in armored Tesla.

[crazy canuck]

The nuclear umbrella is what made the US the primary guarantor of security in Europe. Europe can defend itself against conventional Russian attack.

Then why in the world do we still have troops stationed in Europe, and more earmarked for NATO deployment?

Legacy.

Naw, the US uses Europe as a forward base for the middle east

[Admiral Yi]

It's more about the election process.  But you don't see a problem with NATO disintegration?

I see many problems with NATO disintegration.  Do you see any problem with Europe free riding on defense?

Stoic:
One who is seemingly indifferent to or unaffected by joy, grief, pleasure, or pain.

Is there any other definition you are thinking of?  You are indifferent that the electoral process of States will likely be rigged starting at the next election as one of the core process by which electoral integrity was insured (along with foreign election interference which was already dismantled) is being dismantled?

Are we done talking about optimistic?

[Grey Fox]

Great, they got to Yi too.

[Admiral Yi]

Legacy.

You've convinced me.  Let's disband NATO.

[Jacob]

Great, they got to Yi too.

I anticipate there'll be some rallying around the flag for Americans once the conflict with the EU gets kicked into higher gear.

[viper37]

I see many problems with NATO disintegration.  Do you see any problem with Europe free riding on defense?

What is your definition of free riding?

Are we done talking about optimistic?

I am not optimistic, I have not been since Trump's victory.  You said you were indifferent to the degrading situation of democracy in your country.

I asked if you were still indifferent?  You chose not to answer.  I understand your Republican leaning, but even Mitch McConnell is alarmed now and has voted against Tulsi Gabbard.

[Admiral Yi]

I see many problems with NATO disintegration.  Do you see any problem with Europe free riding on defense?

What is your definition of free riding?

Are we done talking about optimistic?

I am not optimistic, I have not been since Trump's victory.  You said you were indifferent to the degrading situation of democracy in your country.

I asked if you were still indifferent?  You chose not to answer.  I understand your Republican leaning, but even Mitch McConnell is alarmed now and has voted against Tulsi Gabbard.

"a situation in which someone benefits without having to make a fair contribution."

I chose not to answer because one of the things that distinguishes an interrogation from a discussion is that the latter is a two way street.  I responded to your first question and you declined to grant the incorrect assumption that formed it's basis.  What's my motivation to correct your second incorrect assumption?

[viper37]

I see many problems with NATO disintegration.  Do you see any problem with Europe free riding on defense?

What is your definition of free riding?

Are we done talking about optimistic?

I am not optimistic, I have not been since Trump's victory.  You said you were indifferent to the degrading situation of democracy in your country.

I asked if you were still indifferent?  You chose not to answer.  I understand your Republican leaning, but even Mitch McConnell is alarmed now and has voted against Tulsi Gabbard.

"a situation in which someone benefits without having to make a fair contribution."

I chose not to answer because one of the things that distinguishes an interrogation from a discussion is that the latter is a two way street.  I responded to your first question and you declined to grant the incorrect assumption that formed it's basis.  What's my motivation to correct your second incorrect assumption?

but Europe has stepped up its military contribution to Nato as agreed.  They slacked off during the last recession, but they started increasing again after that.  In fact, Poland spends more in its military (% of GDP) than does the US.  Ukraine spends way more than the US and your country just abandoned them, throwing them to the wolf.  Greece is nearly on par with the US.

Others are closing the gap.

If I'm at the grocery store and you text me to bring you back some beers while you're staying at my place, is it freeriding or mutual benefits?

Again, I will ask, was the US richer in 1961 or in 1931?

Is there no benefit at all for the US in the country having military bases all over the world and being a part of NATO?

Is there no benefit to free trade versus the protectionism the Republicans so affectionate?

Who stands to gain and lose the most from the US withdrawing its protection from Europe, and later Taiwan? (don't worry, it will come)

Why did the US become involved in Europe in the first place, and why didn't the US shut down all their military bases in Europe in the middle of the 1990s?  Or in the 2000s?

Will US military expenses significantly drop now that US is leaving the playfield open to Russia?

And if they do, will it make the US richer and safer as a country like it was in the late 19th century when it was an expansionist country, waging wars all over the globe to acquire new territories, right after it quell its civil war and eliminated the First Nation presence from its own territory?  Which territory do you think the Republicans will want to acquire next to fund their economy?

The party you always supported just announced an increase to the debt limit by 4 trillion US$ to finance tax cuts that will never benefit you.

The Philippines and Cuba are passe.  Brazil was the Antebellum Southern dream.  Is it back on the table, or are they going to stick to Gaza, Greenland, Canada and Panama?

You need new colonies to fund this massive debt.  You don't have markets to export to anymore.  All your imports are now costing you a lot more and you lost access to cheap aluminum for cars, giving a huge benefit to foreign cars manufacturers.

You either reduce the size of your army or you put them to use somewhere else if they ain't in Europe containing Russian expansionism with Europe.

Where do you send your brave soldiers to die next?

[Admiral Yi]

If you could narrow that down to three or so rhetorical bad faith questions I might be willing to respond.

[Grey Fox]

I would argue that the price we all pay to be under the US defense umbrella is to be  under/in the US sphere of influence.

[viper37]

If you could narrow that down to three or so rhetorical bad faith questions I might be willing to respond.

I do not see them as bad faith questions.

You see Europe as freeriding on defense.  Your own definition does not meet reality.

Some countries are spending more than the US.  The US is reducing its military expenses while others are increasing it, that's closing the gap in my mind.

You maintain base in Europe as projection in power because a stable world is better for US commerce.  US does not have friends, it has interests.  Not my words.

Each time a rival gets stronger, the US lose.

If you want one or two question, again, was the US richer in 1931 or 1961?
For one more, if you were a time traveler, would you prefer to live in 1931 Georgia or 1961 New York and why?