Germany has 80.000.000 inhabitants. It is one of the biggest economies in the world. The USA have between 70.000 to 30.000 soldiers left. Mainly in two Bases. Just to give you the proportion. Being on the ropes is for sure something different. :-)
It would be sad if you would go. You can be assured that the economic point of view is of no bigger interest to me. We will survive it. But... ...the connection between America and Germany (Europe) is simply something too precious to be wasted just because of your little dungeon in the sun.
On the other hand you must be aware that our gouvernment makes its own decisions. If you can not accept this than it will be indeed better if you go. It is the question if you could see us as friends or as a occupied area?
There you go! Turn that thought around on yourself! That is the whole point of this conversation. If your government has not figured out by now that the US government will make their own decisions and do not need Merkel to tell us what to do with Gitmo. Germany is an industrialized nation but they have one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe. The rate was at 9.3 percent in November, that's above the 8.5 percent rate in the 25-member EU and about the same as it was when Hitler came into power. In comparison, the U.S. unemployment rate is currently at 5 percent. Tell Merkel to take care of business at home. We do not need her.
I see less of a connection between the US and Germany every day and I won't weep at leaving Germany behind. However, as a people - we hope to continue calling you, in particular, a friend.