Just Close the Bases, Stupid

[Joanne98]

Run time: 02:15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrYodiSMtY0   Posted on YouTube: August 18, 2010 By YouTube Member: TheAlyonaShow Views on YouTube: 144   Posted on DU: August 19, 2010 By DU Member: Joanne98 Views on DU: 729

 
Barney Frank and Ron Paul need to be commended for trying to take a realistic approach to cutting down defense spending. They support the reduction of overseas US bases, especially in wealthy countries where they're clearly not needed, like Japan and parts of Western Europe. The US has almost 800 bases abroad. How unnecessary that is? So why can't our new president, and members of our congress, take these suggestions seriously?

[doc03]

1. I agree 1000% n/t

[The Wizard]

2. We're Americans

Squandering resources is what we do beat. That and chest thumping.

[Plucketeer]

3. Man, we're in lockstep

Heh - wanna clue as to how long we'll be in Iraq and Afghanistan? Just consider that we're STILL in the countries of the 3 Axis powers we trounced in WWII. Then there's Korea. :crazy:

[FLSurfer]

4. I completely agree.

Might help with the construction industry in some areas, bringing all those paychecks home.

[AllTooEasy]

5. I agree %99, but...

...a country's wealth or lack of it provides zero rational for having a base there. Germany bases give us close proximity to Eastern Europe (primarily Russia). Japanese bases give us close proximity to China and provide strategic presence on both sides of the Pacific.

Better questions are "Who's Paying?" and "what are they used for?". I won't go into exhaustive details but we have a wide range of "economic agreements" with every country. Some make sense in our favor and some are complete BS.

[PDJane]

6. That number......

777 or thereabouts....takes into account ONLY the bases that the US and the host countries will admit to. The real number is closer to 900, and most of the clandestine bases are in the third world.

[watajob]

7. "So why can't our new president, and members of our congress, take these suggestions seriously?"

http://www.ytownclowns.com/stories/eisenhower.htm

This is why.