Where are we heading?

[Kaj]

[ QUOTE ]
The defense budget of the U.S. almost equals that of the rest of the world. That does not include the cost of the Iraq War.

If I was born and raised in Switzerland, I know where I'd be pointing the finger....same place I'm pointing the finger now.

[/ QUOTE ]



It amazes me how many people think a policy of interventionism is a must. No other nation on earth has the wealth, economic freedom, and history of democratic ideals as the US -- and instead of using that amazing heritage and resources to be the standard of excellence in the world in quality of life, advanced infrastructure, and spreading real no-kidding liberty and freedom, we instead waste it on becoming increasingly militaristic -- at the cost of everything that is great about this country. Keep spending as much on the military as the rest of the world combined and see where we are in 100 years -- a less free, less safe, less wealthy, less optimistic, less "good" people, that's where.

[DCJ311]

Well, financially we're rapidly heading towards bankruptcy, so if and when that happens we'll get destroyed economically which will lead to our downfall.

[AJW]

My understanding is that Russia has increased spending on bombers and submarines link
in response to American plans for a missile defence shield in Eastern Europe. If America is safe from ICBMs Russia needs some other means of delivery if it wants to maintain the MAD balance.
America’s missile defence shield while being sold to the public as a defence against Iranian and North Korean missiles would make a nuclear first strike a reasonable strategy for America to employ.

[BigPoppa]

[ QUOTE ]
My understanding is that Russia has increased spending on bombers and submarines link
in response to American plans for a missile defence shield in Eastern Europe. If America is safe from ICBMs Russia needs some other means of delivery if it wants to maintain the MAD balance.
America’s missile defence shield while being sold to the public as a defence against Iranian and North Korean missiles would make a nuclear first strike a reasonable strategy for America to employ.

[/ QUOTE ]

?

Mutually Assured Destruction hasn't been policy since the fall of the USSR.
Nor, for that matter, have American missiles even been aimed at Russia for quite some time (don't remember exact details, but the two countries negotiated an agreement on this some time ago).

There is about as much chance for a 1st strike against Russia as there is against France. Not that the US and Russia are best buddies, but the only chain of events I can come up with leading to one would invlove some 3rd party seizing their nuclear arsenal.