First tell me which President will commit American troops and treasure to go to one of the Baltic states defense if Russia decides to test a POTUS by sending its tanks into one or all of the three countries? Germany, France, and England don’t have the resources nor political will to do it. IMHO NATO has been turned into a paper tiger ever since Clinton approved expanding NATO to include countries right on Russia’s border. What would Clinton have done if Russia responded by putting nukes back into Cuba?
Terry
5 years ago
A few provisos here. Let us not forget Germany was never an allie but a concurred nation that defined the frase War Crime in modern terminology – I don’t want to hear any moral high ground from them for at least a hundred more years. What they did in WWII goes so fare beyond the pail of war that it should never be forgotten. Also Turkey was never an allie and played both sides to the middle all during WWII, and has been Turkis foreign policy since the Ottoman Empire. They are not to be trusted or believed in anything. They were allowed in NATO to block the Russians from the Bosporus – so fare so good, but who knows how long that will last.
But that’s me ?.
burtb
5 years ago
of course we should defend them.
We should also shame each country that does not live up to their pledge
We could even consider some form of economic sanction.
We could even threaten to leave NATO.
But we have to fulfill our promise to defend NATO countries, while we are currently pledged to do so.
Richard
5 years ago
Having served the bulk of my life (so far) as a member of the U.S. Army and with 14 years of service in Germany (81 to 95) as a member of the U.S. Army Border Patrol member on the East/West border I know what NATO is designed to do. However, it is well past time for the U.S. to step down its commitment to the organization and ONLY meet the 2% obligation as per the Charter; following this adjustment we need to reevaluate our continued membership in NATO and make a decision before our President ends his 2nd term. We also need to put NATO on notice that it is high time to send a message to Turkey that their actions are in direct contradiction to their membership and violate every aspect of the NATO Charter and agreements; they need to be removed from membership immediately at this point and added to the list of known foes of the free world. We also need to make sure that NATO does not just start to accept every little Nation as a new member; the more real-estate you have to defend, the more resources are necessary and unless EVERYONE is putting their REQUIRED share into the pot right now there is no way you can defend the organization and its members effectively. I shed blood more than once to defend freedom around the globe and it is time that we quit coming to the rescue of every snot-nosed nation that wants to use NATO and their membership as a threat against others.
George
5 years ago
Why should we fund their defense while they take their money they would use for that and fund all their social programs. Wake up, America! I don’t mind helping people as long as they try to help themselves….
E. Miller
5 years ago
We should continue to defend them. 1st, I like president Trump’s way by putting tariffs on countries in order to get them to do the right thing. 2nd, I think that before we say “no” to this question, we should see how things pan out with the pressure we put on them to comply. If they don’t comply AND if they are supportive of any rogue countries, then stop supporting them defensively.
Nancy
5 years ago
2% from EVERYONE seems fair!
stuart horton
5 years ago
the us is tired or paying for everthing let them pay their fair share or go it alone .
Dee Pantaleon
5 years ago
These countries should pay up and start paying at least 1% to start and then eventually pay the 2% otherwise they are not on our radar screen when ever they holler Wolfe.
Odcigel
5 years ago
In many countries the populace has little control over their governing body and would be needlessly placed in harms way if we did not come to their aid.
C W
5 years ago
Just pull most of our troops out of the countries that are not paying their share but keep the bases open with just enough staffing for base security. Store all equipment in as small an area possible to keep needed security personnel to a minimum. The military bases are a very large part of the local economies surrounding them. If Putin is as intent on restoring the old Soviet Union as some say, the eastern European bases may be needed in the future.
James W Wing
5 years ago
Of course we should and will continue to honor our agreement with them. The only thing Trump is trying to do is get them to honor their commitment to us. So often and the UN is a great example, the US forks over enough extra to fund organizations that work against our best interest. Face it, the government bureaucracy is loaded with socialists and socialist sympathizers. Our schools mislead the students into believing that the US is evil always going after monetary gain and that socialism somewhere in the world is actually functioning well – it is not!
Bridget H Shaw
5 years ago
Maybe we should reduce the amount of aid we send these countries by the amont of their 2% GDP! They may finally take their commitments seriously. Like most of us, I dont like the give away programs these countries enjoy only to turn around and spit in our eye!
Richard Downey
5 years ago
I don’t look at this as protecting other countries as much as I do having our military presence in close proximity to potential adversaries. Where would we be if our potential response to any world situation had to be only from within our own borders?
Joseph Spinali
5 years ago
Yes see comments
Joseph Spinali
5 years ago
We should keep defending NATO but we should also do exactly what president Trump is doing and keep pressing the them to pay their fair share.
Phil H
5 years ago
The problem I see with dropping NATO is that countries such as Poland (- who fully pay their 2%) are on the front line of a potential war – as was Crimea. Fat Cat countries such as France and Germany have no common or even a close border with Russia and deserve close scrutiny. They do not meet the 2% guidelines BUT on top of that their military has been ignored for decades! As an example, the French air force has less than 30% of it’s aircraft certified as combat ready. Many of the planes are cannibalized to keep some flying. Is that an ally we could actually depend on? Obviously I can see pros and cons in this argument. The principle of defended the front line countries who are true and tested allies makes sense, but also puts us in the position of defending France and Germany, who imho don’t deserve the time of day.
Judy Ayer
5 years ago
I agree that the USA has been carrying a lot of financial burden across the globe to help protect other countries. I believe NATO or something similar should continue, but if these countries can’t spend 2% on defense then they should be fined in some way. I also don’t agree with the USA giving money for??? what reasons to countries that are not a democracy, don’t treat their citizens well or the leaders keep the money/supplies for themselves and not for the benefit of their country and people. That’s probably why nursing was my specialty and not politics, there is a LOT I don’t understand!! I applaud President Trump to address some of these issues, but if he gets criticized by the media or the countries, don’t apologize or back down. I think the President could use an appropriate language coach at his side to assist him and he may come across better.
Valerie Waddelove
5 years ago
While I think all countries in NATO should pay their fair share, practically speaking, it would not be in our, the US’s, best interest not to defend them if necessary. So my vote is a qualified “yes”. Just keep the pressure on them!
Robert
5 years ago
Disband NATO, and start all over again. Countries wanting to participate must prepay their percentage, each year, or lose all entitlements. No tickee, no laundry.
Fredric Poldrugach
5 years ago
We have no choice. We cannot pick and choose our response to a Russian invasion into any part of Europe. It would be like giving over countries to Hitler. Non-action and appeasement do not work. Do you remember Neville Chamberlain and “Peace In Our Time”? It never happened. Millions died as a result of appeasement. This is another reason why we need to have the strongest deterrent force in the history of the world. Our weapons and our forces should be so strong and so efficient and so deadly that Putin and every terrorist in the Middle East cry themselves to sleep at night.
Leo iwaskiw
5 years ago
your “18,205 Total Votes” does not add up to the sum of the votes in each category
PSReed
5 years ago
1) We must stop allocating $$$$ to those countries that refuse to cooperate with us…..PERIOD!
2) What good is the United Nations????…..they do NOTHING and yet cost American taxpayers $300M per year. They should change countries every 2 years and become an equal burden to others.
3) 2% of each countries GDP is a good start for BATO…..every 2 years boost it another percent…..they do not have enough skin in the game.
Ronald Spruill, Sr.
5 years ago
We should continue to defend all nations that are members of
NATO. How much countries give is not the criteria for being a member. But to be fare all should give what is expected.
Jim
5 years ago
More important than balance of power is keeping our word. What makes us a great country is out integrity, not our size, money or power.
Don
5 years ago
The Us should defend the NATO country’s for 3 more years and then if they do not support NATO up to the amount that they agreed to then the protection should stop.
Ginnie
5 years ago
More to think about! Follow on to George Washington’s warning: USA intervened in Europe’s wars twice to prevent Germany from dominating Europe. Germany is now the most powerful member of the European Union and calls the shots with money instead of bullets.
Ginnie
5 years ago
“Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.”
September 17th, 1796 George Washington. If the USA had followed his advice we would not have shed blood and spent treasure on behalf of Ingrates. Only the Establishment has benefited, and advanced their Globalist, Internationalist, One World Government. If the USA had not intervened in WW I, the Europeans would have eventually made peace with one another. There would not have been Nazism and they would have crushed Bolshevism ( both England and Germany recognized Reds as major enemies ). True history, not what you have been taught by Establishment ” historians “.
John Peck
5 years ago
Is NATO Constitutional? I think not.
Average Joe
5 years ago
I think it would be in our own interest to defend those countries militarily, however I would put other sanctions in place for those that don’t pony up.
L. Williamson
5 years ago
Is it true, most treaties get the U. S. into unwanted wars? Is it true, most economic treaties are rarely beneficial to the U. S.? The European Union have 10% tariffs on U. S. cars and Canada has tariffs on U. S. dairy products. The U. S. should void all treaties!
Rick
5 years ago
It’s about time is all I can say. The freeloading has to end. For too many years we have been the safety net and defender of the rest of the free world. The question is why? The answer is because we let it happen. When a child learns to ride his new bicycle the safety wheels come off and he stands on his own. Well the safety wheels came off a long time ago. Time the rest of NATO stands for themselves.
James Monaco
5 years ago
The survey question is rhetorical. Perhaps the President should treat security arrangements like trade arrangements – bilateral. Grand “alliances” like Nato and the UN are just not working very well.
Fred
5 years ago
Since ww1 Americans have lost 645,000 troops fighting other nations wars. Supposedly, we were fighting communism, now communist countries make lots of stuff (crap) and sell it to America. We send our troops 10 000 miles away to fight terrorist, yet import terrorists and drug dealers into our country. How long does one think our republic can last at this rate?
Fred
5 years ago
Let’s be realistic, if Russia wanted Europe they would roll over them. Socialist countries in Europe have a neutered male population.
Peggy
5 years ago
It would depend on a lot of circumstances other than the money issue!
Ray
5 years ago
The need to pay ” fair Share ” is very important! I believe if they can’t pay it all in cash then they pay the missing portion in Goods or Barter. The U S simply is tired of being on the Suckers list and picking up the check! Those who can’t live up to they’re own responsibility monitarily , I’m sure have other means to make up the difference through trade.
Jim
5 years ago
PaulE is so right and extremely articulate. The US needs to reduce its funding to the agreed upon 2 percent, maintain its bases in the world (like it or not it will be American blood that protects the “free” world.). I stood at the Berlin Wall and the DMZ they are real, especially when you get past the tourist frame of mind and realize what you are seeing. If you think Hitler’s March across Europe was quick, the next one will make it look like a stroll through a park.
Lastly, take a good look at your country. Every thing happening in Europe is happening here. Political aristocracy, one party protecting the big business elite, the other handing our money to anyone who will take it because they can, both getting rich beyond their dreams. Take heart, there’s still a few that are still trying to truly represent the people. We need to wake up and think about what we see and hear. America is not broken, it just needs some serious maintenance. Have faith, be a true patriot, BE AWARE.
george doby
5 years ago
GET OUT OF THE UN. AND GET IT OUT OF THE USA
Peter
5 years ago
An agreement is a pledge to do something. It’s the written word that honors one’s commitment and solidifies the bond of your sacred oath. If your word is no good, than you’re unreliable and also no good. If the US were under attack, other that England, few of the remaining 27 nations would come to her defense. Germany is spending billions on energy from Russia? Where is Germany’s allegiance? It doesn’t seem to be with the NATO nations. It’s less about what Germany says and more about what Germany does that matters. President Trump is smart enough to see that and gutsy enough to call them out on it. Love that man; he’s got brass stones!
JERRY A.
5 years ago
The US has always been the defender of the oppressed. That is one thing that differentiates us from the rest of the the world.
Charles K
5 years ago
Russia/USSR is no longer the dire threat it was during the cold war years; Therefore, the EU member nations should be able to handle their mutual defense without being propped-up by the USA.
Doug Olson
5 years ago
Good evening,
I would like to know which five (5) countries have not reneged on paying their dues to NATO? If and when war “comes” then they can ‘go it alone?’
HaroldF
5 years ago
Perhaps this is a case of one finger pointing at countries who do not spend 2% GDP on military defense, and 3 fingers pointing to the entire NATO membership (including the USA) for not being smart enough to define mileposts on the NATO highway. Placing all of the blame on small or non-complying countries shows the world that NATO was/is careless about what constitutes a committed & responsible dues-paying member of NATO. Maybe it is time to redefine NATO.
W. Yaeger
5 years ago
We can not afford to be the Worlds Police Force. We have carried the load since WWII and other countries need to step up and do their share. We also need to pull our troops out of all these places we are protecting, reduce the “tempo of operations” and conserve our military personnel.
Audrey Mcdougle
5 years ago
America should continue to to support NATO. Get rid of Trump. He has hurt this country . He is an embarrassment to this country.
George M
5 years ago
Since only one country paid their WWII debt, and now have not paid to defend themselves, why should we care what happens to them. Freedom is not free. This the same problem that undoc immigrants believe in, I don’t want a better country if I have to fight for it, I want someone else to do the fighting, Sorry if you want a better life you have to work for it, and maybe pay with your life to get it!!!!!!!!!
Chiefsmess624
5 years ago
While national and global defense is important, reigning in the national debt, now over $21 Trillion, could make defending the world financially impossible should an emergency arise. Congress should be made to see the efficacy of having states pay for their own socialist ideas until such time as the debt is paid in full. In addition, Congress should stop raiding the Social Security Trust fund. Us working folks paid into it with the idea our retirement fund would be there when we retire, not an IOU.
Doug Going
5 years ago
ok with me if Trump recommends defense of some who don’t and some who do. His discretion.
Brenda
5 years ago
As President Trump said, we are the world’s piggybank and they’ll robbing us blind. I say no more. This is not 1949. It’s a different time. Countries like Germany want our protection but won’t pay the 2%, yet are paying billions to Russia for natural gas. The President said yet they want us to protect them from Russia. It’s time we stop letting these countries take advantage of us. Either pay up or we get out of NATO.
First tell me which President will commit American troops and treasure to go to one of the Baltic states defense if Russia decides to test a POTUS by sending its tanks into one or all of the three countries? Germany, France, and England don’t have the resources nor political will to do it. IMHO NATO has been turned into a paper tiger ever since Clinton approved expanding NATO to include countries right on Russia’s border. What would Clinton have done if Russia responded by putting nukes back into Cuba?
A few provisos here. Let us not forget Germany was never an allie but a concurred nation that defined the frase War Crime in modern terminology – I don’t want to hear any moral high ground from them for at least a hundred more years. What they did in WWII goes so fare beyond the pail of war that it should never be forgotten. Also Turkey was never an allie and played both sides to the middle all during WWII, and has been Turkis foreign policy since the Ottoman Empire. They are not to be trusted or believed in anything. They were allowed in NATO to block the Russians from the Bosporus – so fare so good, but who knows how long that will last.
But that’s me ?.
of course we should defend them.
We should also shame each country that does not live up to their pledge
We could even consider some form of economic sanction.
We could even threaten to leave NATO.
But we have to fulfill our promise to defend NATO countries, while we are currently pledged to do so.
Having served the bulk of my life (so far) as a member of the U.S. Army and with 14 years of service in Germany (81 to 95) as a member of the U.S. Army Border Patrol member on the East/West border I know what NATO is designed to do. However, it is well past time for the U.S. to step down its commitment to the organization and ONLY meet the 2% obligation as per the Charter; following this adjustment we need to reevaluate our continued membership in NATO and make a decision before our President ends his 2nd term. We also need to put NATO on notice that it is high time to send a message to Turkey that their actions are in direct contradiction to their membership and violate every aspect of the NATO Charter and agreements; they need to be removed from membership immediately at this point and added to the list of known foes of the free world. We also need to make sure that NATO does not just start to accept every little Nation as a new member; the more real-estate you have to defend, the more resources are necessary and unless EVERYONE is putting their REQUIRED share into the pot right now there is no way you can defend the organization and its members effectively. I shed blood more than once to defend freedom around the globe and it is time that we quit coming to the rescue of every snot-nosed nation that wants to use NATO and their membership as a threat against others.
Why should we fund their defense while they take their money they would use for that and fund all their social programs. Wake up, America! I don’t mind helping people as long as they try to help themselves….
We should continue to defend them. 1st, I like president Trump’s way by putting tariffs on countries in order to get them to do the right thing. 2nd, I think that before we say “no” to this question, we should see how things pan out with the pressure we put on them to comply. If they don’t comply AND if they are supportive of any rogue countries, then stop supporting them defensively.
2% from EVERYONE seems fair!
the us is tired or paying for everthing let them pay their fair share or go it alone .
These countries should pay up and start paying at least 1% to start and then eventually pay the 2% otherwise they are not on our radar screen when ever they holler Wolfe.
In many countries the populace has little control over their governing body and would be needlessly placed in harms way if we did not come to their aid.
Just pull most of our troops out of the countries that are not paying their share but keep the bases open with just enough staffing for base security. Store all equipment in as small an area possible to keep needed security personnel to a minimum. The military bases are a very large part of the local economies surrounding them. If Putin is as intent on restoring the old Soviet Union as some say, the eastern European bases may be needed in the future.
Of course we should and will continue to honor our agreement with them. The only thing Trump is trying to do is get them to honor their commitment to us. So often and the UN is a great example, the US forks over enough extra to fund organizations that work against our best interest. Face it, the government bureaucracy is loaded with socialists and socialist sympathizers. Our schools mislead the students into believing that the US is evil always going after monetary gain and that socialism somewhere in the world is actually functioning well – it is not!
Maybe we should reduce the amount of aid we send these countries by the amont of their 2% GDP! They may finally take their commitments seriously. Like most of us, I dont like the give away programs these countries enjoy only to turn around and spit in our eye!
I don’t look at this as protecting other countries as much as I do having our military presence in close proximity to potential adversaries. Where would we be if our potential response to any world situation had to be only from within our own borders?
Yes see comments
We should keep defending NATO but we should also do exactly what president Trump is doing and keep pressing the them to pay their fair share.
The problem I see with dropping NATO is that countries such as Poland (- who fully pay their 2%) are on the front line of a potential war – as was Crimea. Fat Cat countries such as France and Germany have no common or even a close border with Russia and deserve close scrutiny. They do not meet the 2% guidelines BUT on top of that their military has been ignored for decades! As an example, the French air force has less than 30% of it’s aircraft certified as combat ready. Many of the planes are cannibalized to keep some flying. Is that an ally we could actually depend on? Obviously I can see pros and cons in this argument. The principle of defended the front line countries who are true and tested allies makes sense, but also puts us in the position of defending France and Germany, who imho don’t deserve the time of day.
I agree that the USA has been carrying a lot of financial burden across the globe to help protect other countries. I believe NATO or something similar should continue, but if these countries can’t spend 2% on defense then they should be fined in some way. I also don’t agree with the USA giving money for??? what reasons to countries that are not a democracy, don’t treat their citizens well or the leaders keep the money/supplies for themselves and not for the benefit of their country and people. That’s probably why nursing was my specialty and not politics, there is a LOT I don’t understand!! I applaud President Trump to address some of these issues, but if he gets criticized by the media or the countries, don’t apologize or back down. I think the President could use an appropriate language coach at his side to assist him and he may come across better.
While I think all countries in NATO should pay their fair share, practically speaking, it would not be in our, the US’s, best interest not to defend them if necessary. So my vote is a qualified “yes”. Just keep the pressure on them!
Disband NATO, and start all over again. Countries wanting to participate must prepay their percentage, each year, or lose all entitlements. No tickee, no laundry.
We have no choice. We cannot pick and choose our response to a Russian invasion into any part of Europe. It would be like giving over countries to Hitler. Non-action and appeasement do not work. Do you remember Neville Chamberlain and “Peace In Our Time”? It never happened. Millions died as a result of appeasement. This is another reason why we need to have the strongest deterrent force in the history of the world. Our weapons and our forces should be so strong and so efficient and so deadly that Putin and every terrorist in the Middle East cry themselves to sleep at night.
your “18,205 Total Votes” does not add up to the sum of the votes in each category
1) We must stop allocating $$$$ to those countries that refuse to cooperate with us…..PERIOD!
2) What good is the United Nations????…..they do NOTHING and yet cost American taxpayers $300M per year. They should change countries every 2 years and become an equal burden to others.
3) 2% of each countries GDP is a good start for BATO…..every 2 years boost it another percent…..they do not have enough skin in the game.
We should continue to defend all nations that are members of
NATO. How much countries give is not the criteria for being a member. But to be fare all should give what is expected.
More important than balance of power is keeping our word. What makes us a great country is out integrity, not our size, money or power.
The Us should defend the NATO country’s for 3 more years and then if they do not support NATO up to the amount that they agreed to then the protection should stop.
More to think about! Follow on to George Washington’s warning: USA intervened in Europe’s wars twice to prevent Germany from dominating Europe. Germany is now the most powerful member of the European Union and calls the shots with money instead of bullets.
“Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.”
September 17th, 1796 George Washington. If the USA had followed his advice we would not have shed blood and spent treasure on behalf of Ingrates. Only the Establishment has benefited, and advanced their Globalist, Internationalist, One World Government. If the USA had not intervened in WW I, the Europeans would have eventually made peace with one another. There would not have been Nazism and they would have crushed Bolshevism ( both England and Germany recognized Reds as major enemies ). True history, not what you have been taught by Establishment ” historians “.
Is NATO Constitutional? I think not.
I think it would be in our own interest to defend those countries militarily, however I would put other sanctions in place for those that don’t pony up.
Is it true, most treaties get the U. S. into unwanted wars? Is it true, most economic treaties are rarely beneficial to the U. S.? The European Union have 10% tariffs on U. S. cars and Canada has tariffs on U. S. dairy products. The U. S. should void all treaties!
It’s about time is all I can say. The freeloading has to end. For too many years we have been the safety net and defender of the rest of the free world. The question is why? The answer is because we let it happen. When a child learns to ride his new bicycle the safety wheels come off and he stands on his own. Well the safety wheels came off a long time ago. Time the rest of NATO stands for themselves.
The survey question is rhetorical. Perhaps the President should treat security arrangements like trade arrangements – bilateral. Grand “alliances” like Nato and the UN are just not working very well.
Since ww1 Americans have lost 645,000 troops fighting other nations wars. Supposedly, we were fighting communism, now communist countries make lots of stuff (crap) and sell it to America. We send our troops 10 000 miles away to fight terrorist, yet import terrorists and drug dealers into our country. How long does one think our republic can last at this rate?
Let’s be realistic, if Russia wanted Europe they would roll over them. Socialist countries in Europe have a neutered male population.
It would depend on a lot of circumstances other than the money issue!
The need to pay ” fair Share ” is very important! I believe if they can’t pay it all in cash then they pay the missing portion in Goods or Barter. The U S simply is tired of being on the Suckers list and picking up the check! Those who can’t live up to they’re own responsibility monitarily , I’m sure have other means to make up the difference through trade.
PaulE is so right and extremely articulate. The US needs to reduce its funding to the agreed upon 2 percent, maintain its bases in the world (like it or not it will be American blood that protects the “free” world.). I stood at the Berlin Wall and the DMZ they are real, especially when you get past the tourist frame of mind and realize what you are seeing. If you think Hitler’s March across Europe was quick, the next one will make it look like a stroll through a park.
Lastly, take a good look at your country. Every thing happening in Europe is happening here. Political aristocracy, one party protecting the big business elite, the other handing our money to anyone who will take it because they can, both getting rich beyond their dreams. Take heart, there’s still a few that are still trying to truly represent the people. We need to wake up and think about what we see and hear. America is not broken, it just needs some serious maintenance. Have faith, be a true patriot, BE AWARE.
GET OUT OF THE UN. AND GET IT OUT OF THE USA
An agreement is a pledge to do something. It’s the written word that honors one’s commitment and solidifies the bond of your sacred oath. If your word is no good, than you’re unreliable and also no good. If the US were under attack, other that England, few of the remaining 27 nations would come to her defense. Germany is spending billions on energy from Russia? Where is Germany’s allegiance? It doesn’t seem to be with the NATO nations. It’s less about what Germany says and more about what Germany does that matters. President Trump is smart enough to see that and gutsy enough to call them out on it. Love that man; he’s got brass stones!
The US has always been the defender of the oppressed. That is one thing that differentiates us from the rest of the the world.
Russia/USSR is no longer the dire threat it was during the cold war years; Therefore, the EU member nations should be able to handle their mutual defense without being propped-up by the USA.
Good evening,
I would like to know which five (5) countries have not reneged on paying their dues to NATO? If and when war “comes” then they can ‘go it alone?’
Perhaps this is a case of one finger pointing at countries who do not spend 2% GDP on military defense, and 3 fingers pointing to the entire NATO membership (including the USA) for not being smart enough to define mileposts on the NATO highway. Placing all of the blame on small or non-complying countries shows the world that NATO was/is careless about what constitutes a committed & responsible dues-paying member of NATO. Maybe it is time to redefine NATO.
We can not afford to be the Worlds Police Force. We have carried the load since WWII and other countries need to step up and do their share. We also need to pull our troops out of all these places we are protecting, reduce the “tempo of operations” and conserve our military personnel.
America should continue to to support NATO. Get rid of Trump. He has hurt this country . He is an embarrassment to this country.
Since only one country paid their WWII debt, and now have not paid to defend themselves, why should we care what happens to them. Freedom is not free. This the same problem that undoc immigrants believe in, I don’t want a better country if I have to fight for it, I want someone else to do the fighting, Sorry if you want a better life you have to work for it, and maybe pay with your life to get it!!!!!!!!!
While national and global defense is important, reigning in the national debt, now over $21 Trillion, could make defending the world financially impossible should an emergency arise. Congress should be made to see the efficacy of having states pay for their own socialist ideas until such time as the debt is paid in full. In addition, Congress should stop raiding the Social Security Trust fund. Us working folks paid into it with the idea our retirement fund would be there when we retire, not an IOU.
ok with me if Trump recommends defense of some who don’t and some who do. His discretion.
As President Trump said, we are the world’s piggybank and they’ll robbing us blind. I say no more. This is not 1949. It’s a different time. Countries like Germany want our protection but won’t pay the 2%, yet are paying billions to Russia for natural gas. The President said yet they want us to protect them from Russia. It’s time we stop letting these countries take advantage of us. Either pay up or we get out of NATO.