Quote from Gord:
Please... you are delusional. They can't hold their own against anybody. And they contribute virtually nothing to security in the world. They are all subsidized by the American taxpayer. If they had hold up their end, all their fabulous government cradle to grave programs would have to be abandoned.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures
As you can see, the European Union is spending 311,920,000,000 USD on defense, whereas Russia and China are spending a little more than 1/6 of that. Even when taking into consideration that they might be downplaying their spending a bit, Europe still outspend them both combined.
American tax payers putting up for protection of Europe, my ass.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_total_troops
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_active_troops
Both in terms of active troops as well as total troops, the European countries combined has got more than the US. China and Russia might have more troops, but considering how much the EU is outspending them, I'm pretty sure they should be able to hold their ground.
Some more numbers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_size_of_armed_forces
The US is obviously the strongest military power in the world, but would Europe be in trouble if the US disappeared? Absolutely not! Considering the fact that most countries who are angry at Europe, are angry because of European relations to the US, Europe would probably be even safer without the US.
No, the US is not a fatherly figure to Europe, the US is more like an overly strong, retarded big brother to Europe; a brother that keeps picking stupid fights and starting fires which Europe has to put out with diplomacy and excuse for the rest of the world.
Now let's turn it around, let's ask ourselves what would happen to the US if Europe suddenly disappeared. How much shit do you think China, Russia, most of South America and most of the Mideast would accept before deciding to exclude you and completely ignore your very existence? How long would it take before either Russia or China, or both, because the new all-influential superpower(s)? The vastness of the western world acts as an enabler for the US, and Europe being a huge part of it, is crucial here. Without European support in the international scene, you're nothing.
Hopefully Obama will turn things though, and make the US a member of the international community rather than its dictator (or supervisor if you prefer).
