America is an Empire?
This is a topic that has been discussed by numerous people at various levels. Im now one of those various people, but I am no doubt on one of the lower levels to discuss this. I dont pretend to have all the info or all the answers but I do have some questions and wonder as to how people cant consider the US an empire.
It seems to me that we are dangerously still wrapped up in the cold war way of thinking which involved establishing satelites in areas where we could strike an enemy (Russia) with ease. Obvious the threat of Russia is moot so this is no longer the case. But let us look around and you will see that we still are occupying numerous countries under the premise of protecting them. From what are we protecting them at this point in history? We still have 38,000 troops in South Korea yet South Koreas military is well equipped and well trained and more than capable of handling the rowdy neighbor they have to the north. We are still in Japan in gigantic numbers with dozens of military bases and why? One answer will be that we are protecting Japan but no one can say from what, the other answer is that we are protecting the rest of the world from Japan. It cant be both if a nation is so strong other countries need protection from it then it does not need to be protected and the facts remain that Japans military also has more than enough defensive capability to repel even an attack from the Chinese. We can also look all throughout Europe for more examples. How silly would it seem to an American to have an Italian army base in Nebraska or some other state, but this is the case with almost all European countries, they have a US military presence right in their back yard when they need no protection. We continue to project our power in the fashion of the Roman empire or more recently the British and the French. If anyone can explain to me the need to have so many active duty troops defending incredibly safe and stable countries I would love to hear it. These troops valiantly defend Germany, Italy and Japan while the US Army tries to press a reservist into a 5th tour of duty, also explain how that makes any sense. Sorry this is a bit of a rambler, im writing it late with no real framework, I promise something a little more organized coming soon.
It seems to me that we are dangerously still wrapped up in the cold war way of thinking which involved establishing satelites in areas where we could strike an enemy (Russia) with ease. Obvious the threat of Russia is moot so this is no longer the case. But let us look around and you will see that we still are occupying numerous countries under the premise of protecting them. From what are we protecting them at this point in history? We still have 38,000 troops in South Korea yet South Koreas military is well equipped and well trained and more than capable of handling the rowdy neighbor they have to the north. We are still in Japan in gigantic numbers with dozens of military bases and why? One answer will be that we are protecting Japan but no one can say from what, the other answer is that we are protecting the rest of the world from Japan. It cant be both if a nation is so strong other countries need protection from it then it does not need to be protected and the facts remain that Japans military also has more than enough defensive capability to repel even an attack from the Chinese. We can also look all throughout Europe for more examples. How silly would it seem to an American to have an Italian army base in Nebraska or some other state, but this is the case with almost all European countries, they have a US military presence right in their back yard when they need no protection. We continue to project our power in the fashion of the Roman empire or more recently the British and the French. If anyone can explain to me the need to have so many active duty troops defending incredibly safe and stable countries I would love to hear it. These troops valiantly defend Germany, Italy and Japan while the US Army tries to press a reservist into a 5th tour of duty, also explain how that makes any sense. Sorry this is a bit of a rambler, im writing it late with no real framework, I promise something a little more organized coming soon.
posted by the meathaus at 1:54 AM
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