USA vs. the World

UK spends $46 billion on defence currently

Originally posted by Lucretius
UK spends $46 billion on defence currently

You can expect that to drop dramatically if hoon the loon is still in command.

THe USA spends over $370 billion per annum on defense.

Actually the Budget approved for FY2006 was 450Billion $$$. This is an increase from the budget during the Clinton years which was around 250billion.

Originally posted by devilwasp

Originally posted by Lucretius
UK spends $46 billion on defence currently

You can expect that to drop dramatically if hoon the loon is still in command.

hoon increased it by a further 2 billion this year to fufill the war requirements... however that 2 billion needs axed again and thus with british forces still commited the cuts have to be elsewhere

Originally posted by WestPoint23
Actually the Budget approved for FY2006 was 450Billion $$$. This is an increase from the budget during the Clinton years which was around 250billion.

It's a damn shame the majority of that money doesn't seem to be making its way to our troops (armored vehicles, etc.).

It sure is good to be in weapons and base manufacturing, tho.

Some intresting posts on this fourm..

Dont know if any of you have read "Ecomomic consequences of the Peace" By John Maynard Keynes. I am not a big fan of Keynsenian economics but he makes some very intresting observations about nations in this book. His observation is that the fastest way to destroy the capitalist system is to debauche the currency. To ruin it by inflation. Not military invasion or conquierings. To my limited knowlege ..any government where the currency fell into total ruin..the government also fell. Nothing gauranteed that the government taking over was better than the last government. Historically most governments taking over under such conditions amounted to dictatorships.

Also for those of you who dont seem to grasp the history and significance of Americas "Special Relationship" with England...I would suggest also
"The Empire of the City " By E.C. Knuth. This is a very short book with lots of information in it considering its lack of thickness. This relationship is not what most people think.
One of the things helping Russia to gain in economic strength is that they have instituted a flat income tax..something heavily resisted here in America due to the number of industrys and private peoples making a killing off of the present system. We would do well to learn from this and other nations who have instituted this system....but not likely.

Some of you people like to talk junk about the Brits...but I take this opportunity to remind you ....though I am not a anglophile..no way....I admire the rich history and customs on which the Brits have to draw. History records that when their backs are to the wall they are a very scrappy tough people. There military is small due to their small size .and I agree with another poster ..that they have had in history some of the best minds at work for them when their back were to the wall. We do too ..but in between tough times we have some real air heads as do the Brits. Must be a common gene pool at work here. The Brits and their military are tough ..because they have to be......thier history is replete with this lesson having had it reinforced over and over through the centuries. Also holding a empire together is not a easy task..and requires a degree of toughness not complacency.
I think many of my fellow Americans have lost sight of this knowlege...and have grown somewhat complacent. Yes we have lots of material goods to expend..but this does not make up for lack of leadership in the field...one of our most glaring problems..from the top down no matter what administration is in office. This concerns me greatly.
I could say more but this is sufficient for now..
Thanks for your patience..
Orangetom

Yes, I've been saying all along, one of the best ways to cripple the USA would be to crash the financial system. At this point, it wouldn't take much as it is virtually a house of cards - with our mountainous debt.

As for the Brits, they're known for their tremendous tenacity. We Americans inherited that - just sprinkle in the rebelliousness of youth. That's a mad-dog combo.

Agree ..totally ..financially .yes...that is the key..
Though I believe it has been tried by a civil war.

Thanks
Orangetom

Same old Same old economic crap, come-on are we here to discuss weaponry or your doomsday theories?




West Point, Out.

[edit on 26-4-2005 by WestPoint23]

Get a clue...economics properly used is in fact a weapon...this is known by all good strategists. Ones military is only as good as that nations industry and ability to build the military machine. Also to keep it in spares...

Thanks
Orangetom

Communist Russia is the textbook example of economic warefare ..of which we are talking..a classic.

Orangetom

Of course, we outspend them and they went broke because of it. But this war on terror is not going to make us broke and our military budget isn’t either so, stop worrying about it!

You have to take economic theories with a grain of salt. Back in the 1960s-1970s, some economics predicted half the world's population would end up dying off due to food shortages, but it didn't.

Economics is not an exact science. I think the economists informing the government know what they are doing.

Maybe a slight detour but the most relevant topic I could post this on..
In his last annual state address (equivalent to the State of the Union address) Putin labeled the breakup of the Soviet Union as the greatest mistake of all times..
He I think is the first Russian president to do so after the collapse..
Putin also instructed the russian people to bring Russia back up to superpower status and fame reminiscent of the soviet era..
He called for a multipolar world and an eastern alliance to end the current dominance of the west..
Strong words..
Can Putin fight the west with their own weapon (democracy)..??
I think he's got the spunk to do so..
Infact I rate him as a Kennedy of the East..

Except that Kennedy wasn't an ex KGB agent who is still bitter the USSR losing the cold war. Putin first needs to get “real” power the ones that re keeping Russia grounded are organized crime and ex military figures. Then he needs to rev up the economy and do several other things, a speech meant to win him reelection quite doesn't cut it.

Originally posted by orangetom1999
Get a clue...economics properly used is in fact a weapon...this is known by all good strategists. Ones military is only as good as that nations industry and ability to build the military machine. Also to keep it in spares...

Thanks
Orangetom

EXACTLY! It's fundamental. Is your car going anywhere without gas? How do you acquire fuel? You PAY for it. It's no different for governments and military.

Economic warfare effectively waged can be nearly as devastating as a nuke employed. Most Americans don't have any understanding of this. Those citizens of ours who suffered through the Great Depression are almost gone from us now. The baby boomers and younger have no concept of true economic devastation b/c they have enjoyed every convenience, technology and unecessary comfort known to man. That is why they do not believe it can ever happen here. It's pure ignorance.

Those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it.

Originally posted by WestPoint23
Except that Kennedy wasn't an ex KGB agent who is still bitter the USSR losing the cold war. Putin first needs to get “real” power the ones that re keeping Russia grounded are organized crime and ex military figures. Then he needs to rev up the economy and do several other things, a speech meant to win him reelection quite doesn't cut it.

Organised crime isn't so bad if its controllable and well directed..
Mussolini lost out mainly because he got screwed by the italian mafia.. And the mafia was working hand-in -hand with the US govt. then..
Having said that, its extremely difficult to keep organised crime in control..

Ex. military figures are all pro-soviet too im sure..
If they stay loyal to him, then there's no problem..
Only if they're bought by the west or by islamists, then does Putin need to deal with them..

As for the economy, its reving up alright..
Growth rate is what 7.5% now?..

And obv. Kennedy wasn't a ex-KGB agent pissed at the break-up..!!
I'm sure you knew that those weren't the things I was comparing!!

Originally posted by WestPoint23
And obv. Kennedy wasn't a ex-KGB agent pissed at the break-up..!!

President George H.W. Bush was the head of the CIA before taking office.

That gives one pause.. oh but wait - he's one of the good guys.

Your talking Bush Sr. right?! Or were both heads of the CIA in their times??

Originally posted by Daedalus3
Your talking Bush Sr. right?! Or were both heads of the CIA in their times??

Note the initials. George Herbert.W. Bush., the father, Head of CIA.

George Walker Bush, the son, was never any part of the CIA.