Why is it the U.S. that should defend Taiwan? Or aid Israel?
The U.S. needs to back out of giving money to everyone else but its own citizens. The cost of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq could've paid off all student debt in America.
If the rest of the world isn't willing to help Taiwan there's no reason for the U.S. risk a direct confrontation with China.
We are not the world's police.
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@vivify saidIsolationism is not a good look for the US, who is considered the world's richest and most free country on earth.
Why is it the U.S. that should defend Taiwan? Or aid Israel?
The U.S. needs to back out of giving money to everyone else but its own citizens. The cost of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq could've paid off all student debt in America.
If the rest of the world isn't willing to help Taiwan there's no reason for the U.S. risk a direct confrontation with China.
We are not the world's police.
Liberals have consistently derided isolationist conservatives over the years, every time it is brought up.
Like it or not, the world looks to us to defend our ideals. One reason we are disliked is the hypocritical nature of some of our politicians, and their "I got mine, screw you" attitudes.
@suzianne saidYou’ve got enough domestic issues to keep you all busy for the next generation at least.
Isolationism is not a good look for the US, who is considered the world's richest and most free country on earth.
Liberals have consistently derided isolationist conservatives over the years, every time it is brought up.
Like it or not, the world looks to us to defend our ideals. One reason we are disliked is the hypocritical nature of some of our politicians, and their "I got mine, screw you" attitudes.
@suzianne said"Isolationism"? What's isolationist about staying out of war? No one ever called Sweden isolationist prior to joining NATO.
Isolationism is not a good look for the US, who is considered the world's richest and most free country on earth.
Liberals have consistently derided isolationist conservatives over the years, every time it is brought up.
Like it or not, the world looks to us to defend our ideals. One reason we are disliked is the hypocritical nature of some of our politicians, and their "I got mine, screw you" attitudes.
All I'm talking about is refraining from funding or engaging in war. The United States gets into more wars than any other country on earth. The U.S. is the only nation in human history to use a nuclear weapon.
The world would hate America less if we engaged in more isolationism.
@vivify saidI think about this often myself, but we must remember supporting Ukraine is a tool America uses curb Russia's ability to expand without America directly engaging them with military force. The same goes for Taiwan and China. As for Israel, they have been steadfast in gathering valuable intelligence info. for America on many countries in the middle east and around the world (and if we can keep our ex-President from inviting the Russians into the oval office and giving it away to them for free) Israel will continue to be a valuable partner. Our aid packages come with strings attached. America does get something in return.
Why is it the U.S. that should defend Taiwan? Or aid Israel?
The U.S. needs to back out of giving money to everyone else but its own citizens. The cost of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq could've paid off all student debt in America.
If the rest of the world isn't willing to help Taiwan there's no reason for the U.S. risk a direct confrontation with China.
We are not the world's police.
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@divegeester saidThat's for the children in the House and their man-child would-be president to get over. The rest of us know it's not about them, but they keep getting in our face with their foolishness.
You’ve got enough domestic issues to keep you all busy for the next generation at least.
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@vivify saidI disagree, but I'm also loathe to argue with you about it.
"Isolationism"? What's isolationist about staying out of war? No one ever called Sweden isolationist prior to joining NATO.
All I'm talking about is refraining from funding or engaging in war. The United States gets into more wars than any other country on earth. The U.S. is the only nation in human history to use a nuclear weapon.
The world would hate America less if we engaged in more isolationism.
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@mchill saidI left out Ukraine because I understand it's about curbing Russia's expansion, as well as their improved military striking range if they take over. But why does the U.S. spend more on aid then any European country? If Russia is such a threat why not let Europe handle it since it's their backyard?
I think about this often myself, but we must remember supporting Ukraine is a tool America uses curb Russia's ability to expand without America directly engaging them with military force. The same goes for Taiwan and China. As for Israel, they have been steadfast in gathering valuable intelligence info. for America on many countries in the middle east and around the world (and ...[text shortened]... valuable partner. Our aid packages come with strings attached. America does get something in return.
Taiwan is a valuable asset. But again: is it worth risking war with the second most powerful military in the world? Is Israel's intelligence worth 3 billion a year?
Over the last few years there's been this "let's get tough on China" rhetoric. We should focus on diplomacy and being allies with them. I keep hearing from lefties that we shouldn't be allies with a nation that oppresses people like China does. Why are we allies with Israel then?
We can do more for the world by spending money on aid that builds economies rather than wasting it on war.
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@suzianne saidI don't see any discussion between you and I as an argument, even if we disagree on a topic. We've gotten too used to debates being about cursing each other out rather than learning new viewpoints.
I disagree, but I'm also loathe to argue with you about it.
People like yourself, Shav, No1, Thousand Young, Kev, Moonbus.....I enjoy discussions with all of you because I always feel like I learn something, even if the discussion gets heated.
Even if you don't agree with me I still like knowing your thoughts.
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@vivify saidTaiwan is a close partner with California is the world dominating microchip industry.
Why is it the U.S. that should defend Taiwan? Or aid Israel?
The U.S. needs to back out of giving money to everyone else but its own citizens. The cost of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq could've paid off all student debt in America.
If the rest of the world isn't willing to help Taiwan there's no reason for the U.S. risk a direct confrontation with China.
We are not the world's police.
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@vivify saidThe US in every other administration has fostered allies and encouraged them to cock a snoop at mutual enemies with the expectation of the US umbrella. It cannot abandon these countries because they are having a domestic meltdown.
"Isolationism"? What's isolationist about staying out of war? No one ever called Sweden isolationist prior to joining NATO.
All I'm talking about is refraining from funding or engaging in war. The United States gets into more wars than any other country on earth. The U.S. is the only nation in human history to use a nuclear weapon.
The world would hate America less if we engaged in more isolationism.
Without US support Ukraine would have been a lot less bold in its dealings with Russia, same with Taiwan and China, Israel is a different issue, it has backed it to the hilt in its aggression toward a powerless neighbour without any controls over Israel’s actions.
The US HAS responsibilities to the countries it promised to support against regional bullies, if it turns its back on them it is finished as a global power because no future ally will trust it to see anything through.
I guess some Americans really do think they are exceptional and their place in the world has nothing to do with alliances and projecting military power. That is a very dangerous illusion
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@kevcvs57 saidI'm not suggesting abandoning allies. Once the U.S. agrees to something it should see through. I just think we need to drastically reduce getting into such pacts in the first place.
The US cannot abandon these countries because they are having a domestic meltdown.
Without US support Ukraine would have been a lot less bold in its dealings with Russia, same with Taiwan and China, Israel is a different issue, it has backed it to the hilt in its aggression toward a powerless neighbour without any controls over Israel’s actions.
The US HAS responsibilities ...[text shortened]... them it is finished as a global power because no future ally will trust it to see anything through.
I'm not suggesting we shouldn't help Ukraine. But why does the U.S. need to take the lead in this?
Prior to the invasion the U.S. gave over $400 million in military aid. We've since given around $75 billion. The EU as a *whole* gave around $96 billion. That doesn't seem right, especially when U.S. domestic policies could greatly benefit from what it spends on war.
Same with Taiwan; does partnering with them need to involve a military pact against a superpower?
I'm surprised at some responses from posters who would normally agree the U.S. is a warmonger with a long history of war crimes, overturning regimes, supporting coups and destabilizing regions. Shouldn't the U.S. of all countries be involving itself in less war?
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@jj-adams saidYou forgot to say that Hamas does this with the full support of the Palestinian people. Outsiders like to claim that the poor Palestinans are victims in all this. So there are surveys done to establish to what extent civilian population are complicit in Hamas atrocities, and they are part and parcel of Hamas operations.
Palestinians have received billions in aid, but Hamas takes the money and builds tunnels, weapons, trains terrorists, etc, so what's to do?