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It looks like you do too

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No, I just look at more dimensions of problems than you do.

AOL looks at more dimensions, like you. She also refuses to look at the cost dimension, just like you. Big spenders are the same, whether they want to spend on medicare or war. Either way they don’t want to talk about dollars and cents.

Apparently some people long for the days of the Cold War with the Soviet Union but this time letting the Soviets win. Imagine if we refused to intervene and just let them spread their power and influence everywhere including right in our own backyards without any push back. This is not a local matter for the Venezuelan people anymore...it hasn’t been for some time. Ignorance is bliss, and some people commenting here are on Cloud 9 - they don’t even know what they are talking about in the least, but have formed strong opinions about it. Like arguing with a Leftist - reality doesn’t apply to their analysis in the least.

I am actually stunned at, in this and many other discussions on FR, how many FReepers seem to take an Obama-like position that we should somehow be "fair" to our opponents, or treat them in some sort of even-handed way. To paraphrase one example:

"Well, we have threats placed all around Russia (or pick your opponent of choice), so we can't complain if they want to improve their position in the Western Hemisphere."

Screw that!!!

The whole point of being a way-in-front superpower, and spending 5% of the GDP of the most wealthy nation on Earth (us) on our military, is to put and KEEP potential opponents in a "full Nelson". We do NOT ever want a "fair fight", with anybody. Yes, make it attractive to be our friend and do things mostly our way, and accord real friends respect if they deserve it. And, pick our battles wisely and don't stir up hornets' nests unnecessarily (Syria & the "Arab Spring" comes to mind). Many times power other than military can be applied.

But... Much of the world is a good deal uglier than a Chicago gangland. THAT is reality.

So, to our opponents: If you cause us and / or our allies too much trouble, if it comes to armed conflict, you have "no chance", and your only hope is how much we will burn the toast.