How much longer can the US military remain the most powerful in the world without a substantial increase in the US tax base?

Depends.
Privatization of military operations, especially security, is one way. Not saying it is right, but it is happening.

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The government cannot give without first taking.

fair enough. high time you cannucks started paying up. would you prefer free oil to us or cold hard cash ?

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Socialism doesn't create a rising tide that lifts all boats. It drains the lake and teaches the boat riders not to help themselves by rowing.

Jesus loves you, allah wants you dead

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others."

Ayn Rand

This reminds me of a story I'd read a few years ago. At an international meeting, a Russian lady was criticizing some Easern Europeans for their lack of appreciation for all the help Russia had given them, to which an Eastern European answered: 'Did we ever ask for that help?'

I've never asked for help from the US military, so why should I pay for it. it doens't even protect my interests. What you're proposing is akin to a construction company going onto my property, building the most expensive facility in the world on it, and then sending me the bill without asking me if I'd even wanted the building in the first place. Then, when he says that that building has benefitted me by bringing up my property value, I could still legitimately say that whether I benefit from it or not, I still never asked for it. So, what would US law say to that?

Paying for what, precisely?

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"Jesus said: I have cast fire upon the world, and behold I guard it until it is ablaze."
Gospel of Thomas

US law would not permit it.

Given your proximity and the nature of how enemies might opt to attack (through the air) you are where things hit if they are a little short. So it we are to protect ourselves we have to include a buffer zone. You are that buffer zone. And your country DOES want that protection.

So pony up Bob ! Or Gord...

__________________
Socialism doesn't create a rising tide that lifts all boats. It drains the lake and teaches the boat riders not to help themselves by rowing.

Jesus loves you, allah wants you dead

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others."

Ayn Rand

protection

__________________
Socialism doesn't create a rising tide that lifts all boats. It drains the lake and teaches the boat riders not to help themselves by rowing.

Jesus loves you, allah wants you dead

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others."

Ayn Rand

Sounds like blackmail to me. So if Canada doesn't work with the US, the US will trample ovr it to attack countries to Canada's North?

If you want a military presence up north, what's wrong with stationing your troops in Alaska?

Oh we do it regardless, just pointing it out to you. We take a larger view.

__________________
Socialism doesn't create a rising tide that lifts all boats. It drains the lake and teaches the boat riders not to help themselves by rowing.

Jesus loves you, allah wants you dead

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others."

Ayn Rand

what makes you think we don't ? But you really don't need loads of people just to knock down missiles.

__________________
Socialism doesn't create a rising tide that lifts all boats. It drains the lake and teaches the boat riders not to help themselves by rowing.

Jesus loves you, allah wants you dead

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others."

Ayn Rand

By the way, who are these northern enemies? If you go to my property to build a dam around it when there's not flooding in sight, why should I pay for your paranoia?

the trajectory of missiles crosses north.
I am not concerned with the polar bears or caribu.

__________________
Socialism doesn't create a rising tide that lifts all boats. It drains the lake and teaches the boat riders not to help themselves by rowing.

Jesus loves you, allah wants you dead

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others."

Ayn Rand

Problem with your little story is that we don't infringe on what you do in your countries. The most effect we have on each other is a few differences in trade agreements. And, as the nature of trade is cooperation, we have the right to invoke any kind of agreement we want w/o the interference from Canada, just like you can do the same. We have no averse effect on your country. We don't have troops deployed their. We don't control your media. We don't control your politics.

Regardless, the military could be run more efficiently. I will say deployments to war zones is expensive. I say we should stop trying to help establish democracy in countries that have no understanding of the concept. Pull out and let them kill each other. That is what they want to do anyways. End our presence in Iraq and Afghan and the cost of our military isn't a very big deal.

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A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw

Who's gunning for Canada?

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"Jesus said: I have cast fire upon the world, and behold I guard it until it is ablaze."
Gospel of Thomas