cherdanno Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 Helene, I am not sure what you or many in Europe wish the USA to do? Send the middle east troops home today or other? Pull all our troops out of Europe today or other? Obviously the vast majority of Western Europeans are very happy with Obama, although the picture is more diverted in Eastern (Central?) Europe. Personally I would say that the USA is doing fine in international matters. I like the US position better than the European one on most issues, but maybe it would be a good idea to spend more money on humanitarian and development aid and less on military aid. I never understood why international politics is so important to USA. USA is much less vulnerable to external security and trade issues than are Europe and Japan, so it would be perfectly understandable if you decided to focus on cleaning up your domestic mess (health care, education, crime, CO2 emissions, lawyer mafia etc) and leave the rest of the World to its own devices. Maybe the fact that most Americans have roots on other continents make you more concerned about global security issues? Here in England nobody gives a damn about what happens in Scotland let alone Europe (to say nothing about other continents) although we are much more dependent on them than you are. I am not sure what you are saying here. Foreign policy is a more important topic in Germany than in the USA - except that it isn't discussed much as there is a fairly big consensus on most foreign policy issues in Germany. The American economy is arguably more dependent on the world economy than Europe - with the big trade deficit the American economy is dependent on investments from China and petro-dollars continuing to come in. Most of the American foreign policy discussion is driven by perceived threats to the USA (nuclear bomb in Iran and Al Quaeda), and by the special relation with Israel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winstonm Posted October 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 The American economy is arguably more dependent on the world economy than Europe - with the big trade deficit the American economy is dependent on investments from China and petro-dollars continuing to come in. Most of the American foreign policy discussion is driven by perceived threats to the USA (nuclear bomb in Iran and Al Quaeda), and by the special relation with Israel That is a wonderfully succinct (and accurate) description of the U.S. The only question I would ask is which do you believe came first - the Military-Industrial Complex's dependence on warring for existence or the perceived threats and special relationship with Israel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke warm Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 The American economy is arguably more dependent on the world economy than Europe - with the big trade deficit the American economy is dependent on investments from China and petro-dollars continuing to come in. Most of the American foreign policy discussion is driven by perceived threats to the USA (nuclear bomb in Iran and Al Quaeda), and by the special relation with Israel That is a wonderfully succinct (and accurate) description of the U.S. The only question I would ask is which do you believe came first - the Military-Industrial Complex's dependence on warring for existence or the perceived threats and special relationship with Israel? threats to israel are only perceived? by them or us? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helene_t Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 I think the implicit brackets are (perceived threat [to the US]) and special relation to Israel rather than perceived (threat and special relation) to Israel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winstonm Posted October 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 The American economy is arguably more dependent on the world economy than Europe - with the big trade deficit the American economy is dependent on investments from China and petro-dollars continuing to come in. Most of the American foreign policy discussion is driven by perceived threats to the USA (nuclear bomb in Iran and Al Quaeda), and by the special relation with Israel That is a wonderfully succinct (and accurate) description of the U.S. The only question I would ask is which do you believe came first - the Military-Industrial Complex's dependence on warring for existence or the perceived threats and special relationship with Israel? threats to israel are only perceived? by them or us? perceived threats to the USA (nuclear bomb in Iran and Al Quaeda), Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winstonm Posted October 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 I believe you are confusing tactics with strategy. Of course. I only spent half my adult life in the military. How could I possibly know the difference? Sorry, my fault. The impression you gave was one of misunderstanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackshoe Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 Oh, very good, Winston! Tell you what - since you're obviously so much smarter than I am, why don't I just blindly accept everything you say. Will that work better for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winstonm Posted October 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2009 You are right. Sorry, Cheap shot. Erased and edited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke warm Posted October 25, 2009 Report Share Posted October 25, 2009 Oh, very good, Winston! Tell you what - since you're obviously so much smarter than I am, why don't I just blindly accept everything you say. Will that work better for you? there are those on this board for whom that particular bell does toll Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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