Do we need a military?

[Maurepas]

Yeah...if you think oil at $120/barrel is expensive, just imagine how much it would cost if we weren't guarding the world's oceans to ensure no supply interruptions.

Though, that said, oil prices are largely artificial. Speculators pump up the price to make a profit, it should be taken off the futures market entirely.

[Caninope]

Without protection of shipping lines the market would speculate a lot differently .

Not really, there are no nations that regularly harass nations, and the US doesn't do anything against pirates besides occasionally intervening when a few take Americans hostage.

The US is the reason why nations and pirates don't harass shipping lanes.

[The Anglo-Saxon Empire]

Not really, there are no nations that regularly harass nations, and the US doesn't do anything against pirates besides occasionally intervening when a few take Americans hostage.

Are kidding me? Its because if any group or nation started massively affecting shipping it would be stopping within a few weeks by the might of the US navy. If the US navy didn't exist then pirates, or other nations would actually have he ability to start disrupting trade.

Complete and utter bullshit. Piracy ended long before the US navy became near the top 20 on earth, it was barely of importance in the 1800s, and died out by the late 1800s. The US has done nothing in particular to halt piracy, and if it ever became a major problem (it isn't currently if you didn't notice) a dozen other nations could easily hunt down the pirates just as quickly as the US, the UK, France, China, Russia, and several other countries have more than enough naval power to suppress the major threat of pirates.

[Trollgaard]

Are kidding me? Its because if any group or nation started massively affecting shipping it would be stopping within a few weeks by the might of the US navy. If the US navy didn't exist then pirates, or other nations would actually have he ability to start disrupting trade.

Complete and utter bullshit. Piracy ended long before the US navy became near the top 20 on earth, it was barely of importance in the 1800s, and died out by the late 1800s. The US has done nothing in particular to halt piracy, and if it ever became a major problem (it isn't currently if you didn't notice) a dozen other nations could easily hunt down the pirates just as quickly as the US, the UK, France, China, Russia, and several other countries have more than enough naval power to suppress the major threat of pirates.

In certain regions, but not 'round the world. And before the US navy protected the ocean it was the Brits. I'm not saying trade would completely halt do to pirates, but there would be more fluctuation and things would be worse if the US navy was scrapped tomorrow.

Our economic prosperity is heavily dependent on our military.

[The Anglo-Saxon Empire]

Complete and utter bullshit. Piracy ended long before the US navy became near the top 20 on earth, it was barely of importance in the 1800s, and died out by the late 1800s. The US has done nothing in particular to halt piracy, and if it ever became a major problem (it isn't currently if you didn't notice) a dozen other nations could easily hunt down the pirates just as quickly as the US, the UK, France, China, Russia, and several other countries have more than enough naval power to suppress the major threat of pirates.

In certain regions, but not 'round the world. And before the US navy protected the ocean it was the Brits. I'm not saying trade would completely halt do to pirates, but there would be more fluctuation and things would be worse if the US navy was scrapped tomorrow.

Our economic prosperity is heavily dependent on our military.

The problem of piracy was never eliminated outright, but it is no where near a major problem. Also, the point is that you don't even need a large navy, a couple dozen destroyers and frigates watching the coast of trouble spots could easily deal with the problem.

[Trollgaard]

In certain regions, but not 'round the world. And before the US navy protected the ocean it was the Brits. I'm not saying trade would completely halt do to pirates, but there would be more fluctuation and things would be worse if the US navy was scrapped tomorrow.

Our economic prosperity is heavily dependent on our military.

The problem of piracy was never eliminated outright, but it is no where near a major problem. Also, the point is that you don't even need a large navy, a couple dozen destroyers and frigates watching the coast of trouble spots could easily deal with the problem.

And piracy is not the entire point.

The point is power projection to sway opinions so we get what we want/need.

Like oil.

[Caninope]

Are kidding me? Its because if any group or nation started massively affecting shipping it would be stopping within a few weeks by the might of the US navy. If the US navy didn't exist then pirates, or other nations would actually have he ability to start disrupting trade.

Complete and utter bullshit. Piracy ended long before the US navy became near the top 20 on earth, it was barely of importance in the 1800s, and died out by the late 1800s. The US has done nothing in particular to halt piracy, and if it ever became a major problem (it isn't currently if you didn't notice) a dozen other nations could easily hunt down the pirates just as quickly as the US, the UK, France, China, Russia, and several other countries have more than enough naval power to suppress the major threat of pirates.

Because of the presence of a powerful navy in the form of the UK's Royal Navy. Without the US, shipping lanes would be riskier. Not only do you have to worry about pirates with the world's largest navy (by far) out of play, but you have the possibility of nations engaging other nations.

[Trollgaard]

Complete and utter bullshit. Piracy ended long before the US navy became near the top 20 on earth, it was barely of importance in the 1800s, and died out by the late 1800s. The US has done nothing in particular to halt piracy, and if it ever became a major problem (it isn't currently if you didn't notice) a dozen other nations could easily hunt down the pirates just as quickly as the US, the UK, France, China, Russia, and several other countries have more than enough naval power to suppress the major threat of pirates.

Because of the presence of a powerful navy in the form of the UK's Royal Navy. Without the US, shipping lanes would be riskier. Not only do you have to worry about pirates with the world's largest navy (by far) out of play, but you have the possibility of nations engaging other nations.

Someone who get the idea!

[Gembloux]

We need aliens.

[Cerralvo Island]

Who and how is someone going to pay for invading the US? Or even bombing it?

[Lilistrea]

With no military you will have no trade, your country will be starved in to submission.

People think "a rifle behind every blade of grass" makes the US invincible, and to an extent it is a deterrent, but the main reason that the US is such a difficult target is because is separated from its only true threats by oceans. Your navy is crucial to your defence and it also secures your (very long) trade links.

[Airstrip 100]

Of course they need a $700 billion military to fight al Qaeda's $10 million per year operations. That's an efficiency of approximately 0.0014%. Amazing.

[Wamitoria]

Yes, we do. Detterrance comes to mind, as does the ability to project one's influence and one's interests globally instead of, you know, needing to bend over and take it every time US interests are threatened by a foreign power.

^This

[StueyBrianPeter]

We need a military but not at the size it is right now. I mean do you know how many bases we have all across the world? Its ridiculous. If any other country had that many bases around the world we would say that they are evil empires. But since its the U.S. its ok cause we carry the torch of democracy. So reduce the size of the military but don't get rid of it.

[The Oavi-Albion Empire]

Of course unless we want to get steamrolled by some foreign power.

[Caninope]

Of course they need a $700 billion military to fight al Qaeda's $10 million per year operations. That's an efficiency of approximately 0.0014%. Amazing.

That's not all the US does...

[Kalibarr]

Of course they need a $700 billion military to fight al Qaeda's $10 million per year operations. That's an efficiency of approximately 0.0014%. Amazing.

That's not all the US does...

Yep, apparently we also defend Germany, Italy, Iberia, and half the Balkans...

[Ceannairceach]

Until all other nations lose their military's, yes, we do need a military.

[Mike the Progressive]

That's not all the US does...

Yep, apparently we also defend Germany, Italy, Iberia, and half the Balkans...

God only knows why, ungrateful little basta-, er, gentlemen.

[Ifreann]

Yes, yes we do. There's still the threat of[...]terrorists and drug cartels right on your own backyard.

I didn't think that the US Army was involved in civilian crime fighting.

[EnragedMaldivians]

You need Middle Eastern oil? You need a Military.

Almost every country, unless they are under a sphere of protection by a greater power - needs a Military.

[Caninope]

Yes, yes we do. There's still the threat of[...]terrorists and drug cartels right on your own backyard.

I didn't think that the US Army was involved in civilian crime fighting.

They aren't, but they're involved in Mexico and Columbia, along with the ATF and DEA.

[Hushab]

I can't believe that there is even a conversation like this. What would the world be like if we didn't have a military? A hellhole. America is the world's only superpower and is essential in the "game" of global politics. By cutting our military, we hang all our allies by the throat. Russia/China/Iran/North Korea/Cuba (yes, Cuba)/Al Qaeda/ Libya/ Democratic Republic of the Congo/ any other country that wants to join in all eat them alive. Not to mention that we're no longer there for disaster relief. Fun...

[Dungeyland]

No, you don't. That way, we Brits can oust Cameron, send the Army over, and take back our Thirteen Colonies!

[Mike the Progressive]

No, you don't. That way, we Brits can oust Cameron, send the Army over, and take back our Thirteen Colonies!

I'm pretty sure there was a SP episode about this (it also spoofed Clinton and 24).....