I don't see how Trump is doing this just for our defense industry. But if he is, that still doesn't mean my point is wrong.
After WWII when the Soviets occupied Eastern Europe and threatened Western Europe, America through it's Marshall Plan helped Europe back on it's feet.
Yes, and secured access to a large market to sell stuff to. In fact, much of the help was in goods, so at cost price, not market value. Which is fine, everybody benefitted.
We threw troops in there to hold the Communists back. But over the years, Europe has gotten strong. Then the Soviet Union collapsed freeing eastern Europe. The Russians aren't going to attack.
I'm sure the countries bordering on the former Soviet Union, beg to differ.
Certainly Europe's wealth can support an effective counter-force against them without America.
Sure, but we first had to cope with a financial crisis brought to us by the USA housing crisis and collapse of financial markets. That's why it was agreed to increase military expenditure to 2% of GDP over the course of 10 years, we're now in year 3. Besides, opinions can differ over what is an
effective counter force. One can also differ over what's efficient, given the example of excessive cost of the USA defense.
But that's nothing new, it usually suffices to
spend more in the USA, instead of
more wisely. Health care is a good example, one on the most expensive systems with third rate life expectancies and still high mortality.
We should go home but we're so use to being a super power that we don't know how to reverse course even when it's OK to do that. You're right that there are a lot on interests in America. But that's not coming from Trump but from the usual forces in and out of government. Actually, Trump is opposed to that "swamp" thinking. That's opposite to what you're saying. But you favor the old regime that pays for much of Europe's defense and Trump represents a threat to that.
Correction, Trump is
a threat to the USA and the rest of the world. In 6 months time he has done more damage to the reputation of the USA as an
friendly partner nation to the international community than any president before him. The hostile attitude will bear fruit, but it will be sour grapes mostly. Internally he is only replacing things with his own swamp, and it smells even worse.
Cheers,
Bart
