Originally Posted by pcuthbert

Jeff;

I think you may wish to reconsider that statement, particularly in regards to Canada.

Canada has its own standing army. A large portion of it is stationed in Afghanistan right now, continuing the war initiated by The United States of America.

You are right in saying that our per capita spending is less than that of The United States for military, but we don't support our economy by investing in weapons of mass destruction.

If the US feels the need to "police the world", then it will be at their own expense, and the expense of Its' Citizens.

Bring Your armies home. Let Your wars be fought on Your own territory when you are actually threatened.

Going out to start a fight in another place is brutish, bullying behaviour. Join in if you wish, but don't be the instigator.

Until Viet Nam, The United States waited to be invited to the fight, and has been losing ground and respect ever since.

Originally Posted by roadrage

So, your implying that our economy is based on manufacturing weapons of mass destruction?
I am saying that a large part of the US economy is based on supplying the military, its weapons and members. Nuclear weapons are weapons of mass destruction. they kill and destroy much more than a bullet.
Your blaming the United States for your Men serving Afghanistan? trying to stop the threat of Global terrorism?
If you take an open minded look at "Global Terrorism" you will see that it would have remained in the middle east as brother fighting brother. Stepping in to "protect our oil" is BS, and only served to increase Global Tensions.
Then you have the balls to say that since we choose to police the world then it is at our expense? What the hell, you gotta problem helping out another country in need?
I have no problems helping out those in need. But, it is not up to me, or my country to "determine" their need. Nor is it up to us to put military forces in place on foreign territory to enforce "our beliefs" in what they need.

Tough talk from a person who can sit in his home in Canada and feel the freedom to express themselves because of the United States.
Canada has traditionally negotiated its' peace. When we were a British Colony, our military was at the beck and call of Great Britain. Our contributions to the World Wars has been shown to be indispensible. The US waited out those wars until a threat was made to the Homeland, instead preferring to earn income by providing material, instead of manpower. This is how an industrialized Nation should behave. Not carry a big stick over to someone elses' yard to threaten and beat them up like a schoolyard bully.
Have you even checked out the weaponery your military and Air Force uses? most of it is bought from the United States.
Actually, if you research it, you will find that most of Canadas' military equipment comes from Europe. Yes, our fighter aircraft are CF 18's, but that is the largest purchase of military equipment we have made from the US.
In 1959, The US decided that the Worlds' most advanced fighter aircraft would be detrimental to Its' own defence industry. That was the AVRO Arrow. It got the boot due to US influnce. The whole program was discontinued at the insistence of the US Government. What did we get in return? Remember that dud called the "Bomarc?" Why was that put in place in Canada? To protect the United States of America!
Before you go to bed tonight you better say the pledge of allegiance.If the world depended on Canada to protect from evil Evil would rule.
Sir, you are clueless.