PeterS

If Russia is the marker and NATO spending is twelve times that of Russia 881B to 69.2B. Maybe what NATO should do is start building nukes. England and France have them so I think Germany loaded with nukes is a great idea wouldn't you agree! Honest to god, what is Trump rambling on about???

http://natowatch.org/newsbriefs/2017/nato-military-spending-over-12-times-more-russia-2016-sipri-data-shows

NATO’s collective military expenditure rose to $881 billion in 2016 (or 52 per cent of the world total of $1686 billion, according to new figures from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Russia’s military spending in 2016 was $69.2 billion, an increase of 87 per cent since 2007, which has enabled Moscow to modernize its armed forces and use them in the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. However, the increased spending is a heavy burden on the Russian economy, which is in serious trouble due to low oil and gas prices. And despite these increases, NATO member states collectively spent over 12 times more on the military in 2016 than Russia. Together, the European NATO members spent $254 billion in 2016—over 3 times more than Russia.

The United States remains the country with the highest annual military expenditure in the world. US military spending grew by 1.7 per cent between 2015 and 2016 to $611 billion (but still 20 per cent lower than its peak in 2010). Military expenditure in Western Europe rose for the second consecutive year and was up by 2.6 per cent in 2016, while overall spending in Central Europe grew by 2.4 per cent. Italy recorded the most notable increase, with spending rising by 11 per cent between 2015 and 2016.

badbob85037

You ever heard The best defense is a good offense. And what's so hard to understand out troops deserve the best we can give them.

Super Dave Loc: Realville, USA

I get it. You think Trump is being to hard on Russia.

It's not like Russia has annexed a region of another country in recent history.

Fit2BTied Loc: Texas

Don't forget that a considerable amount of that 800B disappeared into waste, fraud, corruption, and off-the-books projects (those that if the people knew about, they'd never willingly approve).

PeterS

So that's the marker? NATO is the biggest thorn in Putins side and Trump has done everything possible to dispense with NATO. Nah, your right, there is no quid pro quo there...

vernon

name some of the waste, fraud,and corruption and off the book projects don't just make an accusation.

vernon

what is it about wanting them to carry more of the burden that you find offensive ?The world has been riding our coattails for 50 yrs and its time they started paying their way.
Of course when that happens they will not be able to pay for the "free " medical and all the other "free stuff" we tax payers have been paying
for 50yrs.

Fit2BTied Loc: Texas

Well...without getting into too much detail

How about reports (on liberal and conservative websites) that the Pentagon cannot account for about $6.5 trillion
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2016/07/31/Pentagon-s-Sloppy-Bookkeeping-Means-65-Trillion-Can-t-Pass-Audit

Or you could go back to all the reports about $100 claw hammers and $600 toilet seats
http://www.scragged.com/articles/yes-virginia-a-298-hammer-really-costs-our-government-100

Or you could talk about weapon systems failures or huge cost overruns
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2011/12/19/how-to-waste-100-billion-weapons-that-didnt-work-out/#597629fc1cb5

And during my 8 years in the Army as an NCO I saw up close and personal how wasteful the procurement system was and how willing approved vendors were to take advantage of the situation.

Forgive me. Since there are countless examples to support what I said, I didn't think making reference to any would be necessary - but there you go.

I'm a conservative. I love the country that I served. I support our president. But I'm not blind to mistakes made by both Republican and Democrat administrations. Blindly following ANY person, group, or movement is a fools errand.

UPDATE - Almost forgot "off the books" projects (aka "black budget")
https://www.wired.com/1995/11/patton/

PeterS

Burden? No one is forcing us to remain in NATO but we are there because it is to our benefit to be there. If that's a burden than it's a odd one. As for paying more they will pay what they can and what their parliaments allow them to pay. There is a process as with all democracy and will pay only what their people allow them to pay. Now if you are a citizen of one of the NATO countries that Trump was lecturing how do you think his bullying will go over with them? Do you think that will prompt them to pay more or pay less? My guess is the latter which is why Trump should know when to shut up. Sadly he doesn't...

Fit2BTied Loc: Texas

I agree with you right up to that first period. And I'll grant you that because previous administrations allowed it to happen, NATO members paid what they felt like paying for defense while dumping enormous sums into social programs and infrastructure. But it's a little silly for me to want MY tax dollars to be spent in this way when I'd rather have a situation where NATO members paid a fair share allowing more of my money to go toward US interests. Call me selfish - I can live with that.

Super Dave Loc: Realville, USA

You should watch a wider variety of news.

Trump is leading NATO allies to strengthen themselves against Putin.

Try not to limit your news sources to America-haters that are rooting for America's collapse for political purposes. (IOW, Democrats)