Are US soldiers mercenaries now?

[german hick]

Trump wants US allies to pay for all the cost of hosting US troops (plus 50%) - Business Insider Deutschland

And if they are mercenaries, we should be able to chose what we pay for, shouldn´t we?

I would first begin with the Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl - why should we pay for that 150% of the costs?

 

[PoS]

I agree with Trump. If Europeans want protection then they ought to pay for it. Even better if all US troops pull out of Europe since the EU ought to take steps to protect themselves.

 

[german hick]

I agree with Trump. If Europeans want protection then they ought to pay for it. Even better if all US troops pull out of Europe since the EU ought to take steps to protect themselves.

fair opinion - lets wait what happens if they are told to go home and leave their international operations bases ;o)

but that was not my stand - I think if we pay for it (150 %) , we are the ones who decide and first everything should be removed what protects us in no way ;o)

 

[RetiredUSN]

Trump wants US allies to pay for all the cost of hosting US troops - Business Insider Deutschland

And if they are mercenaries, we should be able to chose what we pay for, shouldn´t we?

I would first begin with the Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl - why should we pay for that 150% of the costs?

I'm all for Trump pulling the troops out of Germany altogether.

I would pay just to see the people of Germany go bezerk if we closed all the other 178 bases in Germany as their local economies clash like a Boeing 737.

 

[german hick]

I'm all for Trump pulling the troops out of Germany altogether.

I would pay just to see the people of Germany go bezerk if we closed all the other 178 bases in Germany as their local economies clash like a Boeing 737.

but thats not what Trump wants - he wants Money - and if you read the post above yours: the one who pays decides ;o)

edit: do you really think the troops are here to support the local economy?! Or because the US has no interest in it and only wants to help?

 

[RetiredUSN]

but thats not what Trump wants - he wants Money - and if you read the post above yours: the one who pays decides ;o)

edit: do you really think the troops are here to support the local economy?! Or because the US has no interest in it and only wants to help?

I would love to see the military leave Germany altogether.....period!

42% of Germans want us to leave anyways.

Poll: 42% of Germans want US troops out of country - News - Stripes

Germans want Donald Trump to pull US troops out of Germany, poll finds | The Independent

Poland would be my choice as the people are much more friendly.

 

[Captain Adverse]

Trump wants US allies to pay for all the cost of hosting US troops - Business Insider Deutschland

And if they are mercenaries, we should be able to chose what we pay for, shouldn´t we?

I would first begin with the Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl - why should we pay for that 150% of the costs?

I don't agree with Trump's asking for "plus 50%," although I do agree that all costs of troop placement should be covered by the host country.

WWII has been over for 74 years; the "Soviet Union" fell apart nearly 30 years ago; yet we still have nearly 200,000 military personnel stationed in Europe. Meanwhile, the E.U. is fully capable of handling their own business.

IMO we should pull our troops out of Europe and let the E.U. do their own thing. That would be a sizeable reduction in our Military budget expenditures.

Yes, I am aware of how "valuable" having "forward bases" is to our "strategic positioning in the world." However, I also believe we are not the world's policeman nor should we linger where people don't want us. :coffeepap:

 

[german hick]

I would love to see the military leave Germany altogether.....period!

42% of Germans want us to leave anyways.

Poll: 42% of Germans want US troops out of country - News - Stripes

Germans want Donald Trump to pull US troops out of Germany, poll finds | The Independent

Poland would be my choice as the people are much more friendly.

I don´t know if the 42 % are true - I have no problems with U.S. soldiers - but you left out the argument that the one who pays (150%), decides.

If I hire a mercenary, I decide whats his task.

And if Poland wants to pay that, or is able to pay that, is another question ;o)

 

[RetiredUSN]

I don´t know if the 42 % are true - I have no problems with U.S. soldiers - but you left out the argument that the one who pays (150%), decides.

If I hire a mercenary, I decide whats his task.

And if Poland wants to pay that, or is able to pay that, is another question ;o)

Mercenaries............ :lamo

You expected anyone to take you serious when you go off on some stupid tangent as a thread starter?

I say, shut down all 179 bases in Germany and watch the local economies crash, especially when people like you want to call the US Military mercenaries.

 

[german hick]

Mercenaries............ :lamo

You expected anyone to take you serious when you go off on some stupid tangent as a thread starter?

I say, shut down all 179 bases in Germany and watch the local economies crash, especially when people like you want to call the US Military mercenaries.

seems you are a quite dishonest poster - ´not giving arguments, only polemic. If there should be paid 150% they would be mercenaries in my eyes - did you get that now?

 

[RetiredUSN]

seems you are a quite dishonest poster - ´not giving arguments, only polemic. If there should be paid 150% they would be mercenaries in my eyes - did you get that now?

The only thing dishonest.......... is you calling the US Military mercenaries.

Now, if you want a honest discussion, try using a more honest title and subject.

 

[DaveFagan]

I don´t know if the 42 % are true - I have no problems with U.S. soldiers - but you left out the argument that the one who pays (150%), decides.

If I hire a mercenary, I decide whats his task.

And if Poland wants to pay that, or is able to pay that, is another question ;o)

This is where the rubber meets the road. Nations renting these USA bases would take a longer look at threats and the genuine nature of those threats instead of MSM generated perceptions. Does the EU feel realistically threatened? How are their own Military forces? Are USA forces needed? Perhaps China would rent them some forces? Perhaps Russia? Is South Korea safer or more endangered by the presence of US Troops and weapons? Do the USA missile bases bordering Russia present a threat by making those Nations a retaliatory target or do they offer an element of safety? The Militant posture of the USA body politic and/or the principles (MIC, Intelligence Agencies, Deep State, NeoCons) that control our foreign policy might not be advantageous if Nations can choose to opt out. This is complicated by Central Banking alliances, but that would be another thread. I think the USA should abandon its' empire and imperialist endeavors and repair the home front.
/

 

[Higgins86]

I agree with Trump. If Europeans want protection then they ought to pay for it. Even better if all US troops pull out of Europe since the EU ought to take steps to protect themselves.

You're extremely naïve if you think those bases are in Europe to protect Europeans. Be like us claiming we have bases in Cyprus to protect the Cypriots lol.

 

[german hick]

whats dishonest? If I pay for something 150% of the cost there is room for profit and soldiers making profit are mercenaries by definition...

 

[Maximus Zeebra]

Trump wants US allies to pay for all the cost of hosting US troops (plus 50%) - Business Insider Deutschland

And if they are mercenaries, we should be able to chose what we pay for, shouldn´t we?

I would first begin with the Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl - why should we pay for that 150% of the costs?

This is great news actually. Will give us an excuse to send the US occupying troops out of Europe and to where they belong, in the US.

Everyone knows that without Europe, the US has no clout or legitimacy in the world, and cannot continue their illegal global war. So, US troop presence is mostly or exclusively in the interest of the US.. I'm pretty sure Trump knows this, and is giving Europe and "out", and an excuse to end US wars of aggression around the world.

 

[Rogue Valley]

Bring them all home. Then we can cut defense spending by 90% and invest the savings in renewable energy, infrastructure, education, etc.

 

[PoS]

You're extremely naïve if you think those bases are in Europe to protect Europeans. Be like us claiming we have bases in Cyprus to protect the Cypriots lol.

The bases exits for a variety of reasons, but its usually the Europeans who start begging for help every time Russia is mentioned.

 

[german hick]

Givn all this circumstances I´m in favor of a European army now, too. An "only-defense-army" - (what doesn´t mean defending "our resources" in Afrika and Asia).

Would be much cheaper than an Army for worldwide use, we can decide on our own what it is used for and hey - we only would pay 100 %.

 

[Higgins86]

The bases exits for a variety of reasons, but its usually the Europeans who start begging for help every time Russia is mentioned.

Link?

Also since the cold war they have been predominately used to solidify Americas position of global hegemony

 

[PoS]

Link?

Also since the cold war they have been predominately used to solidify Americas position of global hegemony

Just look at all the whining against Russia in this forum and the constant political maneuverings for other countries to join NATO.

But dont get me wrong, Im all for withdrawal of US troops from foreign bases and bringing them all home. Our military budget is colossal and this military industrial complex geared for endless war must be curtailed.

 

[Airyaman]

I agree with Trump. If Europeans want protection then they ought to pay for it. Even better if all US troops pull out of Europe since the EU ought to take steps to protect themselves.

Yes, pull all of our troops home, then start reducing the size of the military, since we don't need that many to defend the homeland. Think of the trillions of dollars that could be saved in the future.

 

[Old Trapper]

I agree with Trump. If Europeans want protection then they ought to pay for it. Even better if all US troops pull out of Europe since the EU ought to take steps to protect themselves.

Since it is our "nuclear umbrella" that guarantees their protection, should they then be allowed to produce their own nuclear protection?

Then again, that was a concept that Trump proposed earlier.

 

[Tigerace117]

Just look at all the whining against Russia in this forum and the constant political maneuverings for other countries to join NATO.

But dont get me wrong, Im all for withdrawal of US troops from foreign bases and bringing them all home. Our military budget is colossal and this military industrial complex geared for endless war must be curtailed.

Yeah, look at all the people whining about regime run by a dictator with a long history of murdering dissidents and committing atrocities across the globe. What an awful thing to oppose :roll:

 

[Manc Skipper]

I agree with Trump. If Europeans want protection then they ought to pay for it. Even better if all US troops pull out of Europe since the EU ought to take steps to protect themselves.

The US has a habit of overstaying their welcome. Charging for the "privilege" is Trump's protection racket move. Very mafioso.

 

[Maximus Zeebra]

Bring them all home. Then we can cut defense spending by 90% and invest the savings in renewable energy, infrastructure, education, etc.

Wow, for once we agree.

Germany made a concerted effort into the future of solar energy some decades ago, and look where solar energy is now, much of it thanks to Germany. Now Germany is putting that same effort on the future og energy storage. I think this is key to the whole energy turnaround. Not only will it help solve the problem of "unstable" energy supply, but it will be a completion to the energy grid, and allow stable energy costs and increased efficiency.

Alike to solar, German dragged many countries along, and I'm pretty convinced it would be great to have the US along on the ride to improve energy storage the next decades, alike to how solar energy was improved the past decades.