[af_vet_rr]

How about any time we expand a base, we remove one. Like removing forces from Gemany, South Korea, Japan, England, etc. Why is it in our national security interests to pay for the defense of rich allies?

While I think we spend way too much in contributing money and materials directly to other nations, especially certain nations in the Middle East that both Bushes, Clinton, and now Obama are way too fond of, there are good reasons to have some of those bases. Take Germany for instance - major transport hub and major medical facilities. Those aren't things you want placed in a forward position if you can avoid it - you want them in stable allies. Lot of wounded soldiers and Marines coming out of the Middle East pass through the US hospitals in Germany.

I do agree though, we are way too involved militarily with other nations. Some nations, we don't have a choice - if we don't fight them there, they will fight us here. But others....I really question the motives. Makes me think they have lobbyists working for them.

[moonshot925]

The Chinese manufacturing sector is only slightly larger than the USA.

$1.922 Trillion VS $1.885 Trillion

The USA is able to manufacture $1.885 Trillion of goods in 2010 with only 11.6 million workers.

China needs over 100 million workers to manufacture $1.922 Trillion worth of goods in 2010.

China owns $1.17 Trillion of US government debt. That is only 8% of the $15.7 Trillion national debt.

We could easily print $1.17 Trillion and pay off the debt to China.