The EU has indisputably brought the European nations closer together. Whatever it’s faults and they are many, it has reduced tensions between European countries and got them working together more.

The policy of the US in the Second World War was to come out of it as the only world superpower. It initially funded Germany and made money off the Nazis to begin with. It also forced Britain to sell its foreign reserves before it would lend Britain money or equipment in the War. Something it didn’t do to any other country. The reason for this was to weaken Britain’s economic power across the Empire and especially in the Middle East and Asia. The US wanted the dollar to become the international currency not the Pound.

The US hasn’t led the free world. It has cajoled and bullied it. I’ve given you a list of the countries it has attacked (plus others) since the Second World War. Can you tell me why, for instance, Vietnam or Nicaragua deserved to be invaded by the Americans? Can you give me any examples of it leading the free world magnanimously?

You give yourself away (as if you haven’t on any number of threads on the VT). Any true Canadian wouldn’t be defending the US healthcare system. It is indefensible to keep tens, if not hundreds of millions of people excluded from healthcare. The only problem the NHS is privatisation and underfunding. Otherwise it’s an excellent service that is consistently rated as the top healthcare system in the world in any number of criteria.

My figures come from the OECD. As I said, China and the EU give more than the US in absolute terms. Abs the US are approx 26th in the world in terms of #of GNI.

As for the UN that exactly backs up my point, the US can make the UN what they want it to be. If they wanted it to be a truly international body capable of helping resolving disputes and leading the world ten they could do. They choose not. That speaks volumes for their intentions.

Straw man argument. I’ve never defended Britain’s colonial history etc. I’m criticising the present and past US activities, not defending Britain.

You've got to quit talking to yourself like this!!!!!!

----the crux of the argument really isn't it....everyones a critic, you must try to become more constructive in your criticisms (like Pliny The Elder!)

The former Yugoslavia wasn't part of the EU at the time of the civil war. You could argue that the Serbs and Bosnian Serbs (backed by Serbia and Russia) were probably more culpable than anyone else in the whole thing. It was only the threat of Western European ground forces getting involved that ended the war.

The Balkans has been relatively quiet since the war ended. Not a bad effort.

It was the Canadians and Americans who had to step in and bring peace to the Balkans during this time....it was the Canadians and Americans that deserve the credit not the EU!!!!!! American and Canadian ground forces did not 'threaten' to get involved.....we did it!.... and saved the day by doing so!

I agree with Him - wouldn't want a world dominated by Americans - surely the most narcissistic nation on the planet.

I would agree on development of medical science - in America their ethics are pretty shoddy, patients are on a par with lab-rats when it comes to experimental techniques. They aren't interested in the person is more having the opportunity to try something new on a live human. If you die so be it.

The Americans meddle everywhere especially where they see an economic benefit - that is their primary driver - they don't do anything unless the major benefactor is them.

As a society their political system is completely flawed - elections are decided by special-interest groups e.g. gun lobby not by policy - crazy carry on.

America is relatively young country that hasn't evolved sufficiently to have completed even level 2 of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

Anyone watch “who is America?” Shows how messed up that country is when congressmen actually agree that arming 3 and 4 year olds is a good idea

Regards

King James

I would like to hear the opinions of those Americans who were not saved by the US healthcare system.

Incorrect.

No...correct!
Bosnia was a 'NATO' led mission not an 'EU' led military mission.....due to racial past histories both of the North American partners in NATO (Canada/USA) were given leading roles to avoid future potential difficulties. We did a great job without the Europeans mucking everything up and it turned out pretty good!

They would sound about the same as the British who have not been saved by the modern social welfare Nanny state....same drole but different speaker....same tune but they change a few of the words is all.

The mathematical constant between the two is a never ending high pitched whine.

Doing a great Job there Mr Don.

This is how the whine usually begins as it slowly rises in crescendo....next will be something about past injustices and then some minor thing that makes one feel very, very hard done by. No mention of personal responsibility since that simply wouldn't fit into the 'victim' mentality.

WOE AM I! (SOB...SOB)

I work with a couple of Gulf war veterans (1991) both from different units. And both have saidthe only reason the yanks and Canadian counterparts are usually given leading roles is because nobody from any allied country wants to be in front of them for fear of "friendly fire".

Thats right...when the work needs to be done the boys and the trainees to the back please...this is REAL business now so either get with the program or stay out of the way...."MEN AT WORK!"

Not really, they just dont want to be shot by some bonehead form the same side.

Well then they should take a job in the kitchen or something, she be dangerous work this. Yes, a good long tenure in the canteen for you. I'll have ketchup with mine please.

Or how about not shooting ones own.

Believe me...it is not intentional. There is a technical term for it called the 'fog of war." Its a reality of modern combat sadly.

Who is America? last night - Jason Spencer, elected official of Georgia, taking part in an anti-terrorism piece. Going along with the idea that using his bum and threats of turning terrorists homosexual is the best way to disarm them in a situation. Tragic.

Welcome to the Bible Belt in the good old U S of A! It gets better in the Bible Belt...trust me on this.

I must have imagined my brother being in Bosnia whilst in the British Armed forces!!!

Safer than the Hadith belt?