Sweden and Finland happy to bilk the American middle-class

19 Responses to Sweden and Finland happy to bilk the American middle-class

1. Bruce of Newcastle says:

   20 May, 2022 at 11:08 am

   Be interesting if Trump gets in again with a majority in both houses. Pulling out of NATO would have a fun effect on the European freeloaders.
2. C.L. says:

   20 May, 2022 at 11:21 am

   Now that would be interesting, Bruce.
   If Europe is really so fired up with a newfound esprit de corps, surely its taxpayers can take it from here. America could do with a dividend.
3. Lee says:

   20 May, 2022 at 12:22 pm

   Bruce, good on Trump if he gets in again and pulls out of NATO.
   I don’t understand why the U.S. should have to bear much of the load of European defence.
4. Not Trampis says:

   20 May, 2022 at 12:38 pm

   so you are anticipating Russia invading Finland and Sweden?
   Otherwise the bilking is erroneous.
   countries spend more on defence when there is a clear threat and that has occurred.
5. Boambee John says:

   20 May, 2022 at 1:14 pm

   Non Mentis

   Otherwise the bilking is erroneous.

   No, the bilking is just the usual “Let’s get what we can from the US dollars sloshing around” (and 10% for the Big Guy).
6. C.L. says:

   20 May, 2022 at 1:23 pm

   No flies on the Nordics. You only get one Joe Biden in a lifetime.
   Meanwhile, they’ll have extra cash to shore up their welfare states.
   Same old European trick.
7. Perplexed of Brisbane says:

   20 May, 2022 at 2:29 pm

   If Trump got back and pulled out of NATO it would be interesting to see how he would treat AUKUS.

   I’m glad Australia hasn’t implemented the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. The guarantee of the American nuclear umbrella of protection in return for not having nukes has been shown to be an abject failure. Many of the nations that shouldn’t have them have and a nation like ours hasn’t. We might find ourselves very lonely and I for one would like to see us at least have the ability to give a superpower (we all know who) a good (nuclear) kick in the nuts if they tried to take us over. I know that countries and empires fall but I would rather ours goes with a bang and not a whimper. I don’t think America is going to nuke anyone on our behalf if they are not themselves directly involved in the conflict.

   We have our own Cheyenne Mountain and no one is allowed there. Good place for a command centre.
8. Not Trampis says:

   20 May, 2022 at 2:45 pm

   err,
   guess what happens when you have been neutral for a long time. you spend money on defence.
   What is the biggest time for expenditure for the USA for NATO. Troops in Europe.

   so no invasion and little increase in money by the USA.
   gosh are deplorables that glazy and ignorant? Yes they are!
9. Boambee John says:

   20 May, 2022 at 3:05 pm

   Non Mentis

   guess what happens when you have been neutral for a long time. you spend money on defence.

   Sweden and Switzerland were both major exponents of defence during the Cold War. Both had large. but predominantly part time armed forces with extensive training. Both had major equipment holdings (tanks, artillery, fighter aircraft, submarines and missile patrol boats in Sweden. Both could mobilise large portions of their populations at short notice.
10. Boambee John says:

    20 May, 2022 at 3:08 pm

    PS, Non Mentis

    gosh are deplorables that glazy and ignorant? Yes they are!

    Gosh, are so-called “progressives” that ill-informed and ignorant? Yes, they are.

    PPS, typically sloppy spelling and punctuation. Sloppy in small things, sloppy in everything.
11. Not Trampis says:

    20 May, 2022 at 4:00 pm

    so you are arguing it is going to cost the USA a lot but at the same time not much.

    That makes sense.
12. Boambee John says:

    20 May, 2022 at 4:19 pm

    Non Mentis

    Have you always been this obtuse (did you come across that word in your failed attempt to pass pre-school) or is a recent development?

    I made no such specific argument, simply pointed out some historical facts.
13. Tel says:

    20 May, 2022 at 7:33 pm

    I’m sure none of the NATO bigwigs will be upset by a requirement for larger budgets.

    The only thing they would be very sad about would be an outbreak of world peace … and at this moment that’s looking kind of unlikely.

    The interesting thing is that everyone expected the Russian Army to be much tougher and more determined than they are, and most people expected the US economy to hold up better than it is. The Russians over-reached and have been forced to back off, but at least they seem to have learned from the experience, reconfigured and put their focus on the things that matter to them … keeping Sevastopol and stabilizing the Donbas region. Let’s hope they draw a line in the sand and consolidate … and I doubt there will ever be friendship across that border, but at least an uneasy equilibrium would be acceptable.

    As for the USA, it’s hard to see any detectable recognition from the Biden administration that they are in such a bad economic position. They are possibly nervous as heck inside and putting on a brave face; or perhaps they are genuinely plumb stupid; or they are really enjoying the carnage and want to bring the house of cards down. Not sure which is better.
14. Petros says:

    21 May, 2022 at 6:49 am

    If the Europeans were smart, they would have made it a criterion of entry into the EU that the applicant nation would have to agree to the equivalent of NATO article 5. They could have sidelined NATO with their own military pact. Instead they get manipulated by the Yanks. Suffer in your jocks, Eurowimps.
15. cuckoo says:

    21 May, 2022 at 9:09 am

    The AFL had the premiership trophy on display yesterday as part of the announcement that the grand final will, incredibly, be played in daylight this year. Whereas the cup normally sports ribbons in the team colours of the winner, for this purpose it sported Ukrainian blue and yellow, I kid you not.
16. Not Trampis says:

    21 May, 2022 at 9:12 am

    Just what bad economic position is the US economy in. Inflation is up because of factors other than internally caused. The fed has been far too slow like other central banks in getting back to neutral rates. Inflation is starting to fall. consumers will get back to spending on services over goods. Energy prices will fall at some stage.
    the Us economy is in a jobs boom at present. That won’t last as interest rates rise but bond markets are not fazed.

    Just what drugs are you on?
17. Boambee John says:

    21 May, 2022 at 9:20 am

    Non Mentis

    And unicorns gambol in the field, alongside sprites and faeries.

    Whatever drugs you are on, they are unlikely to be legal.
18. Not Trampis says:

    21 May, 2022 at 10:45 am

    well it is clear you could not answer the question. mind you you can’t answer any questions
19. Boambee John says:

    21 May, 2022 at 11:06 am

    Non Mentis

    It is clear from your comment that you live in a cloud cuckoo land, what is the point of trying to inject some reality into what passes for your mind?

    Since you are so curious about my medications, statins and low dose aspirin. Now, what are you on? Hallucinogenic?