Military bases around the world, why do we need so many? Why don't we close some down?
I will start off by saying I'm a walking contradiction. I'm an independent but I lean conservative. I am so sick and tired of the world hating us, of the world thinking we are bullies, and that we try to make everyone like us. I know that many of the terrorists want to kill us because they believe that we try to spread our beliefs onto others, by force and otherwise. I also feel they wouldn't want to kill us so much if we would STOP meddling. Our own country is broken, we need help here. I've heard a saying that charity begins at home, and one that says you can't help others until you have your own house in order. I just googled and read we had something like 737 military bases around the world. I was born into a military family, my mother was raised in Guam, lived in Iceland when small, my grandfather was a lifetime army man who lived in Germany, Hawaii, Guam, Iceland, Italy, etc. Why do we need all of these bases? Why do we need over 20 bases in Germany alone? Why do we have 10 or so in Italy? and like 20 in the UK? Why are we still in Guam? Why do we have so many in Belgium, and the Netherlands? I understand some bases are needed in some places, like South Korea...but why do we need SO MANY all over the place? I'm tired of being hated, and labeled by all of these countries....I'm TIRED of helping people who do not want our help, people who cannot stand who we are or what we stand for, people who think we just try to force our system on everyone else. I would like it if we would simply closes about 95% of these bases, bring our troops home, save the money spent, and begin fixing our own country instead of worrying about everyone else. I know it sounds selfish, but we are the whipping stones for almost every other country in the world. Isn't it about time that some of the other countries start picking up some of the slack instead of depending on us to do everything while they sit back, reap the benefits (which takes money away from our own country), while spitting at us and hating us? David - and how are we viewed now, with so many troops all over the place? And who left us in charge anyway? I'm just saying it's time for some other countries to start picking up some slack a little. So you are saying that they hate us now because we're all over the place, but they would hate us too if we weren't all over the place? We need over 20 bases in Germany alone? 1 wouldn't be enough? Can't Germany protect their OWN borders? It's not our job to "guard the world"......or be "parents to the world" while these other countries reap in the rewards and the money while we do all the work, like good little stupid sheep. We're one of the youngest countries on the face of this earth, it wouldn't hurt to let some other countries donate their fair share. Jerry, I hate to offend you...but American blood has been shed around this world for NOTHING...and NOTHING that benefited OUR country very much. All the American blood in Vietnam? That was a worthwhile cause and a great cause for the average american citizen. Iraq? That's helped MY family a lot. I can't think of very many times in history that American blood has been shed to SAVE our country, or help OUR people.... Tell me a few....all of this American blood shed, were we being invaded so many times? Bombed so many times? How many direct threats to us have Americans lost their lives protecting? Other than WW....Kuwait? Blood was shed their protecting us? Iraq? To protect us? Korean? for us?
Politics - 20 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I'll answer for the bases on Japan only. It's because we fear Japan would return the nukes we dropped onto them.
2 :
it,s called isolationism. very popular just before the japs bombed pearl harbor. burying your head in the sand is not a good defensive posture. this is basically what your recommendation is. just think how we would be viewed if we adopted your policy.
3 :
Our Presidents are owned. The liberals have been anti-war for the past four years and Obama is sending in additional troops for the war in Afganistan.
4 :
Yes. We should close them all down and come home before we are forced to because of bankruptcy.
5 :
good question, I think they call it the dark glove, a subtle reminder whose in charge
6 :
Yes America is the most hated, and is a bully. USA Invaded 40 nations since ww2, if it wasnt for the troops, america wouldnt be so hated
7 :
Silly question. Before comparing how many army bases we have with other countries, consider our population size. We are more than the combined population of half of Europe. Add up the militaries of Germany, France, Britain, and Spain and that's roughly how large ours should be. I think we're right on target.
8 :
OMG you woke up! maybe they have a plan maybe a war or the use of terror will be uphelp! maybe the fact that we have over a million foreign troops in the USA will make you think why we need so much I think they relieaze we outnumber them and want to be prepare
9 :
cause those bitch ass nations are trading partners that will go right back to their childish ways the minute we leave them alone. It'll be WWI and II all over again. Let them do the talking while we're busy keeping them from killing each other.
10 :
You need to get out of public school.
11 :
The world doesn't make sense to you because you are smarter then the rest of the sheep. You have seen that the world around you doesnt make sense based on how it is presented to you by the media, your government, and by the herd of people who are too ignorant to question it. The world isn't as it seems. A dark hand operates it from the shadows... a one world government is being assembled behind your very eyes. Research the "New World Order" and you understand. The military bases are in friendly countries for one reason, population control. If a nation goes against the new world order we are ready to destroy it. If a nations troops wont gun down their own people, other nations will be assembled to do so.
12 :
We paid for those bases with American blood, and we don't intend to do it again. edit: The US should turn 32nd parallel defense to China and Russia and depart Korea. The US must remain in Japan for strategic purposes, and will be in Germany to forever prevent a rising of a German reich. NATO is our ticket to forever prevent another War in Europe, and to maintain involvement of member Nations which were once enemies. Eventually, Russia will be a member. Our Nation practiced Isolationist policy in the past, and it cost the World and America millions in lives and trillions in dollars.
13 :
I agree. We do not need so many, we surely do not need one in iraq. So, lets leave and then we will have money for great quality affordable healthcare and real immigration reform. That is what I believe.
14 :
That's plain dumb. Silly boy.... The real answer is The Jonas Brothers....
15 :
I understand how you feel, but it's more than just us helping them. We're helping ourselves as well by having a footprint in those areas of the world. We are there for strategic purposes otherwise we wouldn't have those bases. Another words, we have contingencies in the area to protect our own interest. Things aren't as cut and dry as you may think. A lot of those bases you read about may be in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of the bases are tiny. If we lived in a better world with less hostilities towards us, Most if not all of those bases are there to prevent hostilities from breaking out.
16 :
Tracy, you've written a book and it would indeed take a book to answer all your questions. I don't have the time to do it now, but I've cut and pasted your story, and plan to respond sometime next week. Simply based off the answers you've received from other viewers, I wish more young people asked more questions like this. Evidently, they don't know either. Keep asking questions Tracy! Educate yourself as to what you can do - to help save our wonderful country.
17 :
It's called a "deterant". Does a burgular break into a house when he knows that a cop lives there, and is at home? (Only the ones who make the "Dumbest Criminal" TV show.) Let's say you (or a friend of yours) have something that somebody else wants. (Like a military base) Would it be easier to give it to them and go home, then have to go and take it back? Or, just keep it in the first place? The advantage is almost always with the defender. Having the bases under our control now is a defensive position. Our ships and planes need to have a safe and friendly place to re-fuel and re-supply on their way to whatever hot spot they are going. You can't re-fuel at an enemy base (except in the movies). Keeping an already established position is a LOT less expensive in both dollars AND lives than having to take it back after giving it up. That is why we had to "island hop" across the Pacific taking island by island to get close enough to Japan to launch attacks to their home island. And if England had fallen during the "Battle of Britian" in WW II, it would have been a MUCH harder logistical feat to invade northern Europe to repel the Nazis. Granted, we could just launch a few IDBMs to anywhere in the world now, but we (and the rest of the world) can't afford to be doing that - even if Iran or North Korea do it first - (can we?) Also, to consolidate all your resources into one place is like putting all your eggs into one basket. If something should happen to that basket, then where are all your eggs? By having bases all over the world, we are not only protecting our allies, we are protecting ourselves. And we must protect ourselves because (as you pointed out), nobody else is going to do it for us. =============================================
18 :
I read something like this written a long time ago. It was written in a French newspaper arguing against sending military troops off to America to a fight a war that was seen as unimportant and immaterial to France. Many French soliders died on US soil, they bled for us to help us have a future that seemed impossible to achieve without them. I mean the Americans loss about 17,174 who died during the war but the French lost about 10,000 and Spain also sent troops and loss 5,000 to aide us. While you may or may not be aware of these sacrifices other nations have made for our own. You probably do know that only 145 years later American troops defended France from a dominating German army. And 165 years later US troops liberated a occupied and imprisioned France. A France which saw her sons and daughters taken away at night to concentration camps for speaking out against the atrocities of the Germans. A france which was nothing but a puppet and a play toy to a ruthless madman. My Grandfather was there on the shores at Normandy. He saw some of his friends die and he knew that what he was doing was right. He knew it was necessary and he never had a doubt about being there even while he slowly drove his landing craft 12 miles from sea amidst German fighter attacks and enemy bombardment from ashore. So perhaps the simpliest answer to your question is: It's the right thing to do and it's in our best interests to be at the forefront to fight off our enemies who ever they are before they can come to our shores.
19 :
Hello Tracy, If I may ask, how old are you? Are you still a student? Are you an adult with employment and a person who votes in elections? I am going to supply you with answers that I hope will help you understand. First, before we start, Guam is the United States. So, just like we have bases in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, we also have Andersen AFB in Guam. Nothing wrong with that. And, every base returns our tax money back to the state in the form of local wages and the money spend by the military in the towns and communities near and around the military base. Now, for bases overseas. It is necessary for the US to maintain overseas bases for the safety of the United States. The United States enters into treaties with foreign nations. In those treaties we help them guarantee their democracy by permitting us to have a military base in their country. This send a signal to would be adversaries NOT to invade these countries because we are there to protect not only them but ourselves. If we didn't maintain these bases overseas we could not respond fast to any possible aggression. Imagine that our ships would all have to sail weeks from the US to a country whom we have a treaty with. The country would be invaded before we got there. And, if we had to first fly our soldiers there the airports would all be taken over by an enemy and where would we land? No. prepositiong troops and supplies closer to possible enemies keeps them "at bay" and not willing to attack. Remember, WWI and WWII were because countries in Europe wanted to invade their neighbor countries and take over their land. Do you think that is could happen again? No. Because WE are stationed there. Who would protect us if we closed down 100% of our bases and had no military force? Would we be safe for long? Who made us the protector of the world? Our "history" and love for "freedom" did. By being a stabilizing factor around the world we can assure that other countries don't get up and start to invade their neighbor counties. Now, we must SEPARATE what is going on in our own economy from our military operations. They to not work together. Problems here at home are not the responsibility of the military to solve them. As it is, the military DOES help solve economic problems by paying military and civilian salaries and the costs of operating bases in our states. That returns tax money to the local communities and helps the local communities survive in a stronger manner. But, our problems at home are the responsibility of ourselves, first, and second our local leaders. We have problems because our own people are inept and have no ideas, desires, energy, or experience to solve them. Only when everyone works together will we help ourselves. We don't "meddle" in the affairs of other countries. Every action is part of our plan to ensure the safety of the American people. Would you rather fight an enemy on your own home soil or fight the enemy on soil far away? When people who are supposed to be leaders of their countries are so cruel that they kill their own people, cut off their hands and heads, and shoot women and children in the heads before their families and the people, then, you know what is the right thing to do. We are the only ones strong enough to stand up to villains and protect innocent people from dictators who should be building a great country instead of raping their people and stealing the country's wealth for themselves. Look to the Big Picture, first. Best wishes. Larry Smith SMSgt, USAF (Ret.) First Sergeant
20 :
Simply to intimidate helpless countries.
