Thread: China Tells U.S. What It Can Do With Its Iran Oil Import Sanctions

Originally Posted by ArmadaBC

...The Chinese aren't doing shit, they aren't invading someone and they sure as fuck aren't coming to start a ruckus in our neighborhood. They need us far more than we need them...

...This is two kids on the playground talking shit, we talk alot of shit with China and nothing ever happens because war between the two is monumentally stupid.

...Don't discount the American war machine due to its recent lack of success, that has nothing to do with the machine and everything to do with the rules of engagement and the goals of a wild goose chase. Let that dog off the leash and a world of hurt is one your door step faster than you can say predator drone.

Well said. These have been my theories for a long time. They're not going to invade any time soon. That would be financial suicide for them, as they are quite dependent on us.

As far as the American war machine goes, I'm with you 100%. I used to haul troops in and out of the AOR for OEF/OIF. Got to get to know a lot of bad-ass soldiers. Those guys are very efficient, very well-trained, and can be extremely effective at what they do. Those poor guys were so beyond frustrated, because they absolutely knew they could get the job done quickly and effectively, BUT they are very much leashed as you put it. It's like throwing a champion killer pit-bull into a dog fight, but keeping him on a short leash, while some stupid yappy but mean Chihuahua is allowed to just go to town on him with no restraint. Constantly nipping and yapping at him. It's going to be a looooooong, frustrating fight. Let your dog off his chain, and that stupid little Chihuahua's done for with one swift chomp.

Originally Posted by liv2ski

Thank you DBS. Rather than all the sanctions on Iran, I would prefer we say "do over" and get our noses out of Iran's business. If Israel feels compelled to try and bomb targets in Iran, that is their problem and they can deal with the "fallout" from those actions. China is not a military threat to the Amerika and our MAD from our financial relationships makes me think we need to be more like the Chinese. Don't militarily confront countries in the world, but gradually over the long haul, make relationships that are best for all the countries involved in the treaties. Amerika can support maybe 50% of the current military budget, if we hope to get our fiscal house in order. That means a much more isolationist policy of minding our own business is required. I see many benefits from no longer being the worlds cop, but sadly understand that will never be the way we go, thanks to the brainwashing efforts of the Military/Industrial Complex on the Amerikan Sheeple.

I don't disagree with you, but I also don't find your point of view realistic. Nevertheless, lets say the US cuts its military budget by 50%. To keep it simple lets say that cuts military personel by 50% as well as money going to defense contractors. How many unemployed former military personel or military contractors wuld be collecting unemployment? Just from the military personel alone I'd guess that we're looking at 700,000 unemployed people...beyond that if we add in reductions to defense contractors I'd say we're close to 1,000,000 unemployed. That would bump our unemployment up from 12.7M to 13.7M, or an increase back to about 9% unemployed. Maybe we could absorb that into the private sector?

^^^AA, so many groups of people and sectors are eating shit in this recovery. Why does the military deserve a pass? I have always felt the US Military was just one big "Jobs" program. So rather than throwing $$$ at this "Job Program" why not tell employers that if they hire a combat vet, the employer doesn't have to pay the 7.5% SS match for the first 12 months and they get a $1k a year Federal tax deduction for up to 5 years for each year the vet is on the companies payroll. That would help the vets that served their country get hired easier and cost nowhere close to what we are spending now.

Originally Posted by liv2ski

^^^AA, so many groups of people and sectors are eating shit in this recovery. Why does the military deserve a pass? I have always felt the US Military was just one big "Jobs" program. So rather than throwing $$$ at this "Job Program" why not tell employers that if they hire a combat vet, the employer doesn't have to pay the 7.5% SS match for the first 12 months and they get a $1k a year Federal tax deduction for up to 5 years for each year the vet is on the companies payroll. That would help the vets that served their country get hired easier and cost nowhere close to what we are spending now.

Completely agree...but throwing 1,000,000 unemployed service people onto unemployment might be counterproductive in the short term...especially during a recession. Nevertheless, your plan sounds like a good one to me. It's sort of like the issues folks point out with austerity in Europe...sure, you cut spending and increase taxes to close budget shortfalls...but in doing so you stymie growth...catch 22. Bottom line is that our military budget sure seems unsustainable for the long haul, so I'd welcome a big cut in military spending, even if it's painful economically in the short term.

Not Surprising!!!