i want the Ukrainians armed and fed and warm, let's get to work
this post was submitted on 12 Dec 2023
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Republicans singing the Russian anthem as they walk down the Capitol.
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Speak up; The Republicans can't hear you over the sound of them licking Putin's boots.
Honest question from someone who wants to see Ukraine not be overrun by orcs: Why is the US always the one who has to fund wars? There are some countries in the EU that have given a bit of suport, but the guys who are across the ocean seem to be the ones everyone looks to for money. Aren't you clever enlightened boys and girls from the European Union able to take care of this?
Every single time there is some conflict the idiots in charge here have to get big hard-ons and start getting involved. And we are told to stay out of it. But now Ukraine needs money and for some reason everyone focuses on the US providing it. Same with Israel, why are we the ones who have to prop them up?
I'd really like to know. Everyone hates the US until they want money or weapons. We aren't the ones next door to russia, the EU is. And we aren't anywhere near the middle east, so why are we wasting so much money on israel?
USA has to respect the nuclear arms treaty... Ukraine was promised protection in return for giving up nuclear weapons.
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I have to think our government in the US sees all kinds of strategic, political, and intelligence benefits from having our military spread all over the world. And our money too.
Plus the concept of proxy wars to hurt our enemies without putting ourselves in the line of fire and/or ending the human race.
This is why we've got such a large defense budget. Our military strength isn't just to protect ourselves, it's so we can also project our influence around the world. It's like if your neighbor has a bunch of guns, and you hear zombies are headed towards you. If there was ever a time their ridiculous spending had a use, it was now.
I do think though European countries should contribute more. They benefit immensely from American influence around the world, don't pay a dime towards it, and then criticize the US for spending so much on defense.
Regardless of the EU support not being what it should be, it is in the best interest of the USA to support Ukraine. Russia is a systemic rival and will not stop its aggressive expansion into other countries if they are not stopped in Ukraine. Slightly cynical, but even if Russia wins in the end, dragging this war out by supplying Ukraine also weakens Russia more than the current support weakens the USA.
As a Euro, I am qualified to speak for all of Europe on this. TLDR; Decades of poor preparation.
Macron did talk recently about the USA reliance, which I'm sure a search would turn up. Unfortunately it isn't a quick thing to solve, so here we are.
I wish we could provide a fraction of what the USA does.
It is the situation we find ourselves in when none of our countries are investing in the military to any significant levels. Other countries are investing what they can afford, but have no where near the GDP of the USA. I remember Poland provided all they could, but had to say that's all we can do because we have to think about ourselves in case we are next.
I also think that you make most of the weapons in your country, so you are best placed to help.
Long term, I expect the EU to learn nothing from this and the next time someone starts a war it will be the same situation.
Please don't resent us for the situation, because we don't like it either.
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The picture you see McConnell looking like he was just startled awake from a nap.
There's a last resort, but I would prefer Congress do their jobs.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to make a last-ditch plea to keep military support flowing as he battles Russia, but faced a skeptical reception from some Republicans.
Heading into winter, with tens of thousands of Ukrainians dead, a yawning budget deficit and Russian advances in the east, Zelenskiy is asking Washington to provide badly needed support.
Wearing a black shirt and olive drab trousers, Zelenskiy was met with sustained applause as he entered a closed-door meeting with U.S. senators, and the chamber's Democratic and Republican leaders pledged their support.
There are just three days before Congress recesses for the year on Friday, and Republicans in the House have until now refused to pass a spending package bill that contains $61.4 billion in Ukraine aid without fiercely disputed changes to U.S. immigration.
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who is leading the talks, said he thought lawmakers could reach an immigration deal and pass the spending package before the end of the year.
Ultimately, U.S. troops could be forced to fight Russia, Biden and others warn, if an unchecked Putin invades a European ally covered by NATO's mutual defense commitments.
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